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Cisco Kid
Foreign.
Andrew Rines
Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines, and I'm excited to bring you another episode. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment, you can find more western shows at our website by going to otrwesterns.com now, let's get into this episode.
Narrator
Here's adventure, here's romance. Here's the famous Robin Hood of the Old West.
Cisco Kid
Cisco, the sheriff, he is getting closer this way. Pancho Powell,
Narrator
the Cisco Kids. Now the Cisco Kid in our gripping story, Law of the Dead. Wherever gold was discovered in the Old west, there came men of all races. And after the gold had been dug, many of these men stayed on. Some to take up land and settle down. Others, as befitted their nature, to roam. And so it was that in the great Panamint country, a party of men stared across a small canyon at a group of strangely garbed riders on a parallel trail.
Cisco Kid
Hey, Jeff, what in blazest kind of hombres are them? Look at them. Wearing bandanas on our heads and earrings. I reckon they're gypsies, Ross. What are gypsies doing out in this country? Don't ask me. I don't reckon we want no gypsies around here, do we, boys? That's just what I figured, Jeff. If you ask me, the thing they do is they gun them down as soon as they get within. Gunshot. I wasn't thinking of gunning them down, Ross. But what good are they? Ain't any good. Dirty, thieving bunch of coyotes. We might as well gun them down and be done with it. Well, we're two miles out of the town of Rawhide. Not hardly anybody gets up this way. What do you say, Jeff? All right, take cover behind the rocks, boys. When I get the word, plug him. Get every one of them. You hombres. All right. I'll give the orders around here, Ross. I just want to make sure more. Remember what I said. You ready, boys?
Narrator
Now
Cisco Kid
the stuff poured into. One of them's getting away. I'll get him. Get out of my way, Jeff. Miss some blasted. Come on, boys. On your horses. We don't run down that armory and finish him off, we're in for trouble. Come on. What do you call them people, Cisco? I call them gypsies. Gypsies? Gypsies? Why the gypsies? Well, they are a people who wander over the face of the earth, Chico. Originally, I believe the gypsies came from India. Other gypsies back there at the campus? Yeah. Apparently they are traveling through this Panaman country making their way to the coast. And for some reason have made their camp there for a day or so. You like gypsies? Well, I've always got along very well with them, Chico. They're like anyone else. Treat them well, and they will treat you well. Treat them very. Treat you well. How much more miles to the town of Roja? Oh, not more than two or three miles. I suppose you are thinking of food, Pancho. That is what I thought. We'll be there before long, and then you can have a shooting, Cisco. Well, a lot of shooting, too. Hurry up. Hold up, hold up. He come a rider. He's a gypsy. Look, this go way back. Homebrew is right. Everything you did. Hey, hold up your hands, amigo, to show we mean him no harm. Hold up, Dan. They kill my people. They hide behind the rocks and kill my brothers. And those with my brothers. They will kill you. That kills his. Go and bancho Satos. Down off your horse, Pancho. See part of grading it down. Ah. See? They stop their horses. They're going to talk it over. They will die for this. Carlos says they will die. Be careful. They're going to shoot again. Let us give them a couple shots in return. Pancho. Couple shot. Do not hit any of them. Let Carlo show you how to kill one of them. No. Carlo points when I do not kill. We fired them only to make them more cautious. Carlo, we killed. I said no, Carlo. Hombres turn the Nazi school right away. Now, you said those hombres killed your people. One more thing. The sun has barely moved since it happened a few minutes ago. For what reason did they kill your people? No matter. Perhaps only for the sport of killing. If the law of the dead calls for vengeance, then the law of the dead shall be fulfilled. Yah. Hah. Trying to think that young hombre mean what he says. He stood. See, Pancho? He does mean it. There'll be much trouble before the sun sets. Come. We better find out more about that killing. We better stop here, Ross, and talk over what we're gonna do. I know what I'd have done if I'd have been you, Jeff. I'd have gone after them. Ombre and Gundam, John. You think so, huh? I know so. That's because you got no idea who those two hombres were.
Narrator
Us?
Cisco Kid
Well, they was the Cisco Kid and his partner. Oh, you sure of that? Of course I'm sure. Maybe that young gypsy told Cisco about to kill him. Maybe he did. Cisco's just the kind of hombre to take the gypsy's side. If Cisco knows about it, then chances are he'll tell the sheriff about it. Just what I'm thinking. In which case, we'd have to do some mighty fast figuring to come up with an alibi. Hey, there's an idea, Jeff. What? Blame this killing onto Cisco. Just how would I do that, Ross? Nothing to it at all. Let's ride into the sheriff's office and tell him Cisco and his partner gunned down them gypsy. The sheriff don't know Cisco. Well, does he? Of course I know he don't know him at all. I'll go tell him if you say so. Oh, no, no. I'll go. You and the boy stay back up in the mountains, out of sight. I'll join you later.
Narrator
Come on. Y.
Cisco Kid
Look here. The body. There's a party. Why anybody do this, Cisco? I do not know. Chico. We cannot let such a thing go unpunished. Round up the kiddies. No. The first thing we will do, Pancho, is to ride down to the town of Rawhide and report this to the sheriff. I do not think I know him either. But we soon will. We'll offer him our help in running down the killers. Right to come, Tito. Anywhere to start? Hey, the sheriff Poncho, he rides alone. He comes here at an opportune time. What is this in your Sheriff? Where's this thing you share even?
Narrator
Howdy. I take it you're the Cisco Kid.
Cisco Kid
See Sheriff, this is me. Compenhero. Pancho.
Narrator
Any idea who gunned down these here gypsies, Cisco?
Cisco Kid
No, Senor Sheriff. I have not. Only one gypsy escaped. The young Sayon. When first we saw him, he was being pursued by a gang of men. It was he who told us they had killed his tribesmen.
Narrator
Suppose you give me a description of that gang of men, Cisco.
Cisco Kid
I cannot do that, Senor Sheriff. You are not near enough for me to see their faces clearly. But Pancho and I would like to help you find them. You don't say your sheriff again.
Narrator
I want help, I'll ask for it.
Cisco Kid
That is the way you feel? Very well. Come, Pancho, let us ride on.
Narrator
Just a minute, you two. Kind of like to have you come on back to town with me for questioning.
Cisco Kid
We are going to ride through your town, senior Sheriff. We will stop at your office. Not when the Hancock's go single, Sheriff. He's Carlo, Cisco. More of his tribesmen. Look at the long knives they are wearing, Poncho. They mean business.
Narrator
Cisco, I want your word you won't try to escape.
Cisco Kid
You have My words on you, Sheriff. These are the dead. They must be avenged.
Narrator
Now, look, you hombres. I don't want any trouble from you.
Cisco Kid
Make not the trouble, Sheriff, but uphold the law of our fathers. And at the moment we have permission to bury our dead.
Narrator
That's all right. Go ahead. But no shooting.
Cisco Kid
Yes, Sheriff. Carlo was with those who were shot down.
Narrator
Well, maybe you can describe the hombres. Was it these two?
Cisco Kid
No, those friends of Carlos, Sheriff. Friends of Carlo.
Narrator
Keep quiet, Hugh. Give me a description of the ones that shot down your tribesmen, Carlo.
Cisco Kid
No, that is not the gypsies wasting your sheriff. We would not tell you.
Narrator
Maybe that's lucky for you, huh?
Cisco Kid
That lucky, Sheriff. Do you hear, Carlos?
Narrator
I said keep quiet.
Cisco Kid
The gypsies will take their own action in the matter. It would be well to have a posse stay close by them.
Narrator
Reckon I know what I'm doing. Cisco, I still think you know more about these killings than you let on. However, since I got your word you won't try to escape, I won't put the handcuffs on you and you can keep your guns. I don't care what he said.
Cisco Kid
I warn you, if you do not keep an eye on these gypsies, they will find the killers very quickly. Then you will have more killings on your hand.
Narrator
Get on your horses. You two, you're going with me.
Cisco Kid
As you please, sir. You, Sheriff. As you please, sir. You, Sheriff.
Narrator
Right ahead of me.
Cisco Kid
Yeah, You're Bright Thunder. What's the matter, Ross? Cisco and his partner going with their sheriff. But they still got their guns. Let me see them field glasses. Take a look, Jeff. You're right. Sure as blazes you're right. Thought you said the sheriff believed your story about Cisco and his partner killing them gypsies. He sure seemed to believe it. At least he got started in a hurry. You sure better do something, Jeff. Hey, boys. Looks to me as if the sheriff got Sisco to help him instead of arresting him. Well, what do you think we better do, Ross? We better dry gulch the three of them.
Narrator
What?
Cisco Kid
Gun down the sheriff, too? That's right. Now's a good time. Riding right this way. When they cross that little patrol down there, it'll be right plum out in the open. I guess you're right, Ross. Take up positions, boys, and we'll get them as they cross that plateau. You, Sheriff. Wait a moment. Hold up. Hold up.
Narrator
It's a man. He says go.
Cisco Kid
I saw the glint of sunlight on metal up ahead dusting your sheriff. I do not like the looks of that.
Narrator
No we won't write another trailer. Town will stay right on this one. Never figured you to be so timid, Cisco.
Cisco Kid
It is a question of common sense, Sheriff. No man in his right mind would ride into an ambush.
Narrator
Come on, get going.
Cisco Kid
If you want to continue on this trail, you will take the lead. I am tired of warning you, Sheriff.
Narrator
Get going.
Cisco Kid
The trail is all yours. Poncho and I will follow. But once more I tell you.
Narrator
All right, I'll ride ahead. Come on, get up
Cisco Kid
that little plateau. Couple of bushes. Not much cover, but better than nothing. Get another glimpse. Look out, Poncho. Down she goes. Off your horse, Poncho. Off the horse. He's going. They're covering the bushes. Poncho. Poncho. Mao.
Narrator
And the faithful. Poncho lies motionless, hit by a gunman's bullet. In just a moment, we'll return to the Cisco Kid. Now back to the Cisco Kid in our gripping story, Law of the Dead. Although the young gypsy, Carlo, told the sheriff that Sisko and Pancho had not killed his fellow tribesmen, that official was not convinced, but insisted upon taking our friends back to town for further questioning. But on Sisco's word that they would not try to escape, he let them keep their guns. Meanwhile, the real killers, deciding to take no chances on being found out, opened fire on Cisco, Pancho and the sheriff. As they rode out onto a small plateau, the sheriff and Pancho went down.
Cisco Kid
Now, Sheriff, Pancho. Ponchos. All I can do is carry them behind these bushes. What little cover they have for now. The sheriff stopped the sheriff the moment I saw the glint of sunlight on that metal. Hombres are aiming for kill. Do not try to move, amigo. Right. I will have a look at your wound. Oh, boy. Hostile, Chico, hostile. Bueno.
Narrator
Bueno.
Cisco Kid
Bueno. This bullet just grazed you, Poncho. You are all right, amigo. The sheriff is the one who was badly wounded. Somehow we must get him to a doctor in town. How? House is for how. I will try to get to that wall of rock over there, Pancho. So I can open fire on the bandidos from there. While they are firing at me, you can get the sheriff on Loco and right out of here. Then I will join you. Good luck, Chico. Here I go. CAPS. 8th. One of our two for me will give those hombres something to think about. Those banditas are no longer shooting at me.
Narrator
Why?
Cisco Kid
No matter. My job right now is to catch up with Pancho and help him. Hey, Jeff. Jeff. The Cisco Kid's getting away. What?
Narrator
In place.
Cisco Kid
He's doing. How's the boys flying down onto that plateau? Never mind, Cisco. Ross, look up around them canyon walls. What is it? I don't see nothing. See where that big rock is? Follow the point of my finger. Yeah. I still don't see. Oh, see one of the gypsies? Yeah. There's another beyond him. Anywhere you look up there, you'll see him. They ain't shooting. No, they got knives. Maybe we better get out of here. Jeff Power. They got us surrounded and they're pressing in slow but steady. I don't like this, Ross. I sure don't like this. The doctor said sheriff gives better, sister. The doctor said the sheriff may recover and he may not. His chances are just about even. Aren't you not getting along with that sheriff? Aren't you? Hope the sheriff gets better. See you, Migro. So do I. Anyway, we will wait around until we find out from the doctor for sure. Yeah, we wait around for sure. Cisco, you know what all that exercise do to conjure? I know. I just got the idea from seeing that cafe sign down the street. Oh, the exercise make pan is so hungry. We are on our way to the cafe right this minute. I've seen that pinto horse before. Ryder was with the gang of bandidos who were chasing the young gypsy. Carlo Rometto. I want to talk to you. I want to see the sheriff. Cisco, tell me, was he bad wounded? Was he badly wounded? Just how did you know he was wounded at all? Since Pancho and I met no one on our way to the doctors. Well, look, look, I got no time to waste talking the sheriff of the doctors now, see, hombre? But you are not going to see him. Not for some time. Come down off that horse. Get out of my way or I'll brain you with the butt of this gun. You talk to him, Cisco. Tougher as you. I said come down off that horse. That's what I meant as of right now. Why, Amazely Coyote. Cisco. I'll get you. Look who took this? Cisco, I'm gonna knock you so cool. Yo. Look like the other shoe on the other foot. Stupancho, stand up on me. What I want to know is why you and those other bandidos. Shot down the gypsies. You said we did. I want the truth from you and I want it now. All right, Cisco. So we did get him down. But I gotta get help for Jeff for them blasted gypsies will cut him to pieces. Who is this? Jeff? Jeff Fasser. He. He runs our. You're a gang of hoodlums. Eh, I'll come clean, Cisco. We tried to get you and your partner here in the sheriff. Them Gypsies must have heard the shooting because they surrounded us. And, well, I was the only one to get away and knife the rest of the boys. They took Jeff with them. You think he's going to tell the truth? He said, see, Pancho. I believe he's telling the truth. There's a gang of them Gypsies. I'll need a lot of men to rescue Jeff. It ain't too late. We'll ride out to the gypsy camp, Pancho, after we put this hombre behind the bars in the jail. But Cisco, a lot of men will do no good. One or two might. Come with us, hombre. Come quickly. What are you, Henry, gonna do with me? You're going to die. Look, look, I got money. You can have it. Just let me go. Come on, untie my hands and let me go.
Narrator
You
Cisco Kid
the leader of those who shoot my people down? You try to bribe Carlo with gold. There's not much gold in the world to buy your free. Here's our camp. I prisoner to big rock. I will tell you when you die. You die tonight when the spirits of those you killed can be present to see. Vengeance is the law of the dead. What you mean, Cisco? Did you see a lot of men not do good? One or two might do good. A lot of men will start a fight, Poncho. There would be more killing. That is not what we want. We rescue the bunny or thief. We'll do our first. Chico. Why did the gypsies kill him already? Well, then we can do nothing. I do not believe the Gypsies will try to kill the bandido until after dark. They have their own customs and their own laws. If I remember rightly, death is dealt out to murderers only after dark. Get dark very quick now, Cisco. Well, there is the camp of the gypsies right ahead of us. They got a campfire. Luke, Chisco binds the hombre tied to a big rock. He must be the bandiro leader. Be very careful what you say or do. Chico.
Andrew Rines
Hold over.
Cisco Kid
Ho, ho. Slow down. Show no fear, Chico. Down. Up your horse. Easygo. There is Carlo over by the campfire. Pay no attention to these other Gypsies. Come, Pancho. Why does Carlo's friend come to the camp of the gypsies? I come for the one who has killed. Our law says he must be punished according to our law. The law of the gypsies will deal with one who has killed. Friend of Carlo has come to this camp. In vain. No, not in vain, Carlo. I come but to do you and your tribe a favor. We take the prisoner so that our law can deal with him. Law of the gypsies will deal with one who has killed. We lose, Cisco. We lose. Not as yet, Carlo. I speak no more words of softness to the stronger is the prize. Is that true? That is true, Cisco. Let your tribesmen form a great circle while you and I fight for the prize. For our own law. With your knives. But, Cisco. With knives. Yet not the wish of Carlo to kill Cisco. I will take my chances. Carlos, you accept my challenge? My fellow tribesmen from the circle. Nsandi, your knife. But Cisco. Cisco, dear, be ready to untie the prisoner. We may have to leave in a hurry. Cisco, your choice of these knives. This one will do. Gracias, Carlo. Be on guard. You're planning the life well, my friend. I see you have chosen strong and able opponent. I regret that I must kill you now. The fight has started. Is there dishonor in being disarmed, Colonel? No.
Narrator
Let's go.
Cisco Kid
But my blade seeks not to disarm. Seeks your heart. Not thinking of your blade, thinking of my own. How I might twist your knife out of your hand. Let the prisoner prepunch him. Tell him to stop. Well, Carlo, seems that my law won over your law. Therefore, my law will take your prisoner and deal with him. It be so, Cisco. But there are those among my tribesmen. But your tribesmen are fair, Carlo. They will honor a victory fairly won. Prisoner, please, Cisco, with any trail. In a moment they will notice he has gone. But then we had better be gone. Adios, Carlo. You are a brave man. They know the snouties. Go. Hey. Stamp Peter horses. If we go by them, Pancho, I will take the bandiro Apantiablo with me. Off the river. Go.
Andrew Rines
Hey.
Cisco Kid
Run, two horses.
Narrator
Run.
Cisco Kid
Now they knock him. Chase us for a long time. She's gone. Bueno, Pancho. Bueno.
Andrew Rines
Hoda.
Narrator
Ho, ho.
Cisco Kid
You, Jeff hombre, get up on this horse. I sure will, Cisco. Just get me out of here. That is just what we are going to do, hombre. You are going to jail. And you may believe me, hombre, you are very, very lucky. The gypsy's gone. No sie chico. The gypsies have gone. So those bandidos who are in jail have nothing to fear. Can get into the jail after them. Yeah, that is true. They cannot. Pancho in the sheriff's better too. Yes, and you know, Pancho, that sheriff turned out to be a pretty good hombre. Yes, it's a sheriff. A fine hombre. The sheriff wants to give Pancho his dog. The sheriff wanted to give you a dog? Yes, yes. My dog too. Panches no. Not to take a dog riding all over the country. Well, sometime you can have a dog, Chico. But why do you say this dog was smart? Because this dog, he do arithmetic. The dog could do arithmetic. He do. He do. Oh, now, Pancho, that is impossible. No, no, that's not impossible. Cisco, tell Pancho what is two Takeaway two. Two take away two. Two take away two. There is nothing. There's a Pancho. As the dog Cisco finds the safety. The dog one is two take away two. And what did the dog say, Chico? The dog say nothing. Oh, Poncho. Oh, Chico.
Narrator
And so ends another exciting adventure with O. Henry's famous Robin Hood of the west, the Cisco Kid. Be sure to listen again for another thrilling adventure of the Cisco Kid. Cisco Kid was played by Jack Matthews,
Cisco Kid
Poncho by Harry Language Sam Foreign.
Andrew Rines
This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate this episode within your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com Become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands, Steve and Tom, who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail. 707-986-8739 this episode of is copyrighted under the Attribution non Commercial Share Like Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.
Cisco Kid
Sam.
"Law of the Dead" drops listeners into the Panamint country where Cisco Kid and his loyal partner Pancho encounter a deadly clash between local roughnecks and a band of traveling gypsies. As violence erupts, Cisco finds himself caught between the law, vengeance-driven gypsies, and the real murderers. This classic western tale blends suspense, moral dilemmas, and traditional radio drama excitement, all vividly restored for a modern audience.
This episode of The Cisco Kid artfully intertwines Western justice, prejudice, and cultural conflict, amplified by Cisco’s integrity and empathy. The story moves swiftly from tragedy to resolution, blending suspenseful showdowns and thoughtful diplomacy with the series’ signature humor and warmth. Revitalized through crisp digital restoration, listeners are given a front-row seat to classic radio drama at its best—a true ride into the heart of the Old West.