Mountain Trap | The Lone Ranger (01-01-43)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns: Mountain Trap | The Lone Ranger (01-01-43) Aired: August 3, 2026
Host: Andrew Rhynes

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Episode Overview

This episode is a digitally restored presentation of The Lone Ranger classic radio drama, "Mountain Trap," originally broadcast on January 1, 1943. The story features the iconic masked hero and his companions as they uncover a plot involving stolen army carbines, unscrupulous traders, and the looming threat of an intertribal war in the high border country. With Tonto and young Dan at his side, the Lone Ranger seeks to prevent an Indian uprising and bring outlaws to justice, embodying themes of courage, resourcefulness, and moral guidance.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene: Camp in the High Border Wilderness

• The Lone Ranger, Tonto, and Dan, his 14-year-old nephew, are camped in the evergreen forest (04:45).
• Dan feels inadequate, worrying he's a hindrance to the group (05:02).

“If you’re careless in your speech or your dress, it's a sign that you’d be careless in other things. Remember this. A man is judged by his appearance and his speech. Now, if you're neat and orderly in small things, well, the bigger things will take care of themselves. That was one of the things your father used to tell me.”
—The Lone Ranger to Dan (06:06)

• The Lone Ranger encourages Dan to learn responsibility and self-improvement.

2. Discovery of a Blinded Blackfoot Brave and Stolen Rifles

• A rifle shot draws the trio to a wounded Blackfoot Indian, suffering from temporary blindness (07:15).
• They discover the Indian’s rifle is a new army carbine, linking it to a recent wagon train robbery (07:15-07:58).
• Dan translates: traders gave the Blackfeet guns and "firewater" in exchange for beaver skins (08:21).
• The Lone Ranger realizes the outlaws plan to incite war between the Blackfeet and Crow tribes (08:30-09:08).

3. Averting Tribal Warfare

• The Lone Ranger tasks Dan with alerting the army at the fort, giving him a silver bullet as proof (09:18-09:23).
• Lone Ranger and Tonto go to the Blackfoot village and intervene with the chief, "Crippled Horse" (10:16-12:46).
• The masked man bargains with the chief: halt the war, and his son's sight will return (11:22).

“Order your braves not to make war on the Crows, and I’ll give you my word that your son’s sight will be restored before sundown.”
—The Lone Ranger to Blackfoot Chief (11:22)

• Gray Wolf, the chief's son, regains his sight due to the Lone Ranger's intervention; the chief calls off the war and agrees to return the guns (12:35-12:53).

4. Outlaws’ Scheme and Showdown

• Rude and Breed, the heads of the outlaws, plan to sell guns and swindle both tribes, showing contempt for the Native Americans (13:03-15:03).
• The Lone Ranger and Tonto confront the gang as they approach the Crow village, initiating a gunfight (15:13-16:45).
• Outnumbered and under fire, Lone Ranger and Tonto are nearly overrun, but Dan and the cavalry arrive in time (19:39). The outlaws scatter, abandoning their loot.

5. Tracking and Outwitting the Outlaws

• The Lone Ranger and Tonto trail the gang using the tracks left in the snow (20:47-20:54).
• They overhear a plan: the gang will ambush the cavalry by disguising some members as buffalo to lure the troopers into a deadly trap (24:57-25:21).

"I've got five buffalo skins, head and all, hidden in a cave a couple of miles from here. If you boys was to drape them skins over you and your horses, those troopers wouldn't know the difference till it was full of lead."
—Rude, outlining the ambush scheme (25:09)

• The Lone Ranger sends Dan to warn the captain while he and Tonto infiltrate the buffalo disguise ambush (26:36-27:41).

6. Ambush Foiled and Justice Served

• The Lone Ranger and Tonto, disguised in buffalo skins, help turn the tables as the cavalry attacks (28:44-29:08).

“Soldiers are riding to the attack, Tonto. By surprise, Rude and his gang will be caught in their own trap.”
—The Lone Ranger (28:44)

• The outlaws, realizing they’ve been outsmarted, attempt to escape but are captured after a struggle (29:20-29:44).
• The episode ends with the Lone Ranger ensuring the authorities will get all the evidence against the gang, and riding off with Tonto (30:09-30:30).

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Carelessness and Growth
  • The Lone Ranger’s lesson to Dan on responsibility (06:06)
• The Silver Bullet
  • “He knows who I am.” —The Lone Ranger, giving Dan a silver bullet as proof for the army captain (09:22)
• Outlaw Greed and Irony
  • “After a couple of snorts of firewater, they were ready to trade us, their whole village for them guns.” —Rude bragging about deceiving the Blackfeet (13:39)
• Foiling the Ambush
  • "We've been tricked.” —Rude upon realizing their ambush plan has failed (28:59)

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Important Timestamps

• Camp conversation and learning moments: 05:02 – 07:07
• Discovery of the Blackfoot brave and stolen gun: 07:15 – 08:52
• Confrontation with Blackfoot Chief: 10:16 – 12:46
• Outlaws’ scheme revealed: 13:03 – 15:03
• Ambush at the boulder & cavalry arrival: 15:13 – 19:39
• Tracking outlaws and overhearing ambush plan: 21:45 – 26:47
• Buffalo disguise ambush and capture: 27:35 – 30:09

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Episode Tone & Narrative Style

• The storytelling is classic and dramatic, with clear character archetypes and an emphasis on morality and justice.
• The Lone Ranger remains calm, wise, and fair, often dispensing life advice.
• The action sequences, including shootouts and the ambush plan, are vividly depicted through sound effects and dialogue.
• Themes of honor, responsibility, and the importance of doing good are strongly present.

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Conclusion:
"Mountain Trap" delivers an exciting tale of outlaws, frontier justice, and intertribal diplomacy, highlighting the Lone Ranger’s leadership and tactical cunning. The restored audio brings new life to every galloping chase and thunderous shootout, preserving the spirit of America’s radio western golden age.

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For more restored western dramas, visit otrwesterns.com.

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Transcript

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[Andrew Rines]

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[Narrator]

A fiery horse with the speed of light. A cloud of dust in a hearty hio Silver. The Lone Ranger.

[The Lone Ranger]

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[Rude]

Wait.

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[Narrator]

With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the masked rider of the plains led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. The stories of his strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness have come down to us through the generations. And nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoof beats of the great horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on, Silver.

[Tonto]

Come on.

[The Lone Ranger]

Big fellow. I own silver.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger with Toto And Dan, the 14 year old nephew of the masked man, were camped in the evergreen forest of the high border country. Their shelter and that of the horses was made of poles and pine balls. Dan was watching Tonto repair a bridle and talking to the masked man.

[Dan]

Golly, I wish I could do more to help.

[The Lone Ranger]

More to help? What do you mean, Dan?

[Dan]

Oh, I'm just a hindrance to you and Tono. Why, if it wasn't for me, you could have left this country a long time ago and gone back to Texas.

[The Lone Ranger]

We'll go back to Texas, Dan, when you go with us. We're here until Mr. Martin got your grandmother's affairs all settled.

[Dan]

But I'm no help.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, you are. You know this country. You know the Indians around here. You've been a lot of help so far.

[Dan]

Oh, hang it all. I feel as if I'm laying down on the job.

[The Lone Ranger]

You what?

[Dan]

I said I felt I wasn't doing my share.

[The Lone Ranger]

That's not what you said.

[Dan]

Well, I. I guess I said I was laying down on the job.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, that's what you said then. A hen lays, but you lie down.

[Breed]

Oh.

[The Lone Ranger]

Oh, that's right. You lay down a book. A hen lays an egg, but you lie down.

[Dan]

Oh, I remember now. There was something about lay and lie in the book Granny used when she taught me reading and writing.

[The Lone Ranger]

Your namesake is Daniel Webster. Remember that. You must do. Credit to the name Daniel.

[Dan]

I should have said I was lying down. Just careless, I guess.

[The Lone Ranger]

You were careless, yes, sir. Dan, don't let carelessness handicap you in life. You see, if you're careless in your speech or your dress, it's a sign that you'd be careless in other things. Remember this. A man is judged by his appearance and his speech. Now, if you're neat and orderly and small things, well, the bigger things will take care of themselves. That was one of the things your father used to tell me.

[Dan]

Gosh, I wish I'd known my dad.

[The Lone Ranger]

I wish you had, Dan. He was the finest man that ever lived.

[Dan]

I suppose there's no chance for me to be the man he was.

[The Lone Ranger]

You must be as good or better than he was, Dan. You see, he's counting on you. You must learn to ride any horse and to use a gun.

[Dan]

I could only have a gun of my own to carry.

[The Lone Ranger]

Oh, not yet, Dan. You're not old enough. Besides, a gun in the hands of a careless man.

[Dan]

Careless? Oh, I understand.

[The Lone Ranger]

Between now and the time you're old enough to Own a gun. We'll work hard so you'll be an expert marksman. When you're ready, I'll see that you have a pistol of your own. One of the best that can be had.

[Dan]

Oh, golly, that'll be worth working for. I've studied as much as I could about them. I've seen pictures and handled a few different kinds. What was that?

[The Lone Ranger]

A rifle shot. Ah. You've come from that way, beyond the woods. Come on. Stay behind us, Dan.

[Narrator]

Dan kept close behind the Lone Ranger and Tonto as they broke from the sheltering woods. On the open plain where the sun reflected from dazzling white snow, they saw an Indian, a Blackfoot, who groped blindly.

[The Lone Ranger]

That Indian is blind, Otto. You know what to do. Protect his eyes. Me fix them.

[Dan]

Say, this rifle's brand new.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, Dan. What kind of a rifle is it?

[Dan]

My Golly. It looks like one of the new army carbines. I've seen pictures of them. The cavalry uses them.

[The Lone Ranger]

Right. But I can understand how this Blackfoot got such a gun. Unless.

[Dan]

Unless what?

[The Lone Ranger]

Unless from the wagon train which was raided on the northwest trail last week. Several boxes of new carbines intended for the soldiers at the fort were stolen by renegades.

[Dan]

Gosh. Do you think this Indian was one of them?

[The Lone Ranger]

You understand the Blackfoot language, Dan? Ask the Indian where he got this gun.

[Dan]

All right.

[The Lone Ranger]

Wadda dullah.

[Dan]

Matagola.

[Rude]

Going summer. Summer.

[Dan]

He says it was given to him by a band of traders who visited his village. They traded guns and fire waters with all the braves of his tribe in

[The Lone Ranger]

exchange for beaver skins, guns and firewater. That mean plenty trouble. Yes. There's no telling what may happen with that combination.

[Dan]

I'll bet those men are the same ones that robbed the wagon train.

[The Lone Ranger]

They make plenty big profit trading guns for furs. Ask the Indian where they are. Now then.

[Dan]

Reina Sumatan. Crow. They packed the carbines and firewater they had left about an hour ago and took the trail for the Crow village.

[The Lone Ranger]

Nat Bland. Blackfeet and Crow big enemies?

[Dan]

Yes. He says the Blackfeet are angry. They're preparing to make war on the Crows before the traitors give them guns.

[The Lone Ranger]

If that happens, a fight may spread through the mountain tribes. Innocent fur trappers may be slaughtered in a general Indian uprising.

[Dan]

Oh, golly. What do we do?

[The Lone Ranger]

Both the Blackfeet and the renegades must be stopped.

[Daniels]

Huh?

[The Lone Ranger]

Ride to the army post den, tell the commandant the story, and give him this. He knows who I am.

[Dan]

Oh. A silver bullet.

[The Lone Ranger]

And what we do? Take the Indian on your Saddle, Tonto. We'll go to the Blackfoot village. You come.

[Tonto]

Come on.

[Dan]

I'll see you later.

[The Lone Ranger]

Get that boy. Get along there. Get him up, Scout. Easy, Silver. Come on, Silver.

[Narrator]

As Dan raced back along the trail toward the army post, the Lone Ranger and Tanto, with the Blackfoot brave in his saddle, rode in the direction of the Indian village. Suddenly, they heard gunfire, wild yells and the ominous sound of throbbing war drums. A moment later, they reached a knob overlooking the Indian camp and reined in their horses before the chilling sight of hundreds of Blackfeet braves. Their tempers whetted by the renegade's firewater, wildly stomping to the beat of the war drums while they brandished and fired their new rifles into the air. Then, as they saw the masked man and the two Indians, the tall figure of their chief strode forth. And silence cut sharply across the bedlam.

[The Lone Ranger]

Up to us now, Taro. Come on, Silver.

[Narrator]

Get him up.

[The Lone Ranger]

Scout. That must be the chief coming to meet us. Ho, Silver. Ho. Ho. What?

[Tonto]

White man who hide fish. What here like.

[The Lone Ranger]

The Indian we brought with us seems to be explaining to the chief what happened.

[Tonto]

White man bring Gray wolf son to cripple horse. Me Black foot Chief. Him say you help.

[The Lone Ranger]

I'm glad my friend and I were able to help, Chief.

[Tonto]

Gray Wolf say him blind. Him not see.

[The Lone Ranger]

Your son's blindness will pass.

[Tonto]

How you know that?

[The Lone Ranger]

The black paste under Gray Wolf's eyes is white man's medicine. It will help him to see again.

[Tonto]

White man medicine plenty powerful if him speak truth.

[The Lone Ranger]

I speak the truth. Crippled horse. What are your people saying?

[Tonto]

Black feet not believe white man magic.

[The Lone Ranger]

I see. I'll make a bargain with you, Chief.

[Tonto]

What mean?

[The Lone Ranger]

Order your braves not to make war on the Crows. And I'll give you my word that your son's sight will be restored before sundown.

[Tonto]

White traitor go to give Crow many gun. Make plenty powerful to kill Blackfeet. We go kill Crow first.

[The Lone Ranger]

The guns the white traders have given you are stolen. They belong to the soldiers at the fort.

[Tonto]

Soldier come get guns.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes.

[Tonto]

Blackfeet not give em up. Give white traitor plenty beaver skin. Not give em up gun.

[The Lone Ranger]

The soldiers will come to capture the men who cheated you. Your furs will be returned.

[Tonto]

We give back gun by and by. When soldier come now we ride. Kill plenty Crow with him.

[The Lone Ranger]

Wait, Chief. Wait.

[Tonto]

What about your son, Gray Wolf no longer warrior. Him not see to shoot Crow. Him stay with squaw and papoose.

[The Lone Ranger]

And you don't believe that his sight will come back?

[Tonto]

Me not believe in black Medicine White man magic not make gray wolves see.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on.

[Breed]

More.

[The Lone Ranger]

Ah, you look crippled horse. Yes, chief. What's your answer now?

[Tonto]

They wolves say him see. Him not blind. White friends speak with straight tongue. Crippled horse do what him say.

[The Lone Ranger]

You want to attack the Crows?

[Main Event J USO]

No.

[Tonto]

Blackfeet brave stay in village. Give gun back to soldier.

[The Lone Ranger]

Thanks. Crippled horse. Come along, Tahlo. Where we go? To head off the renegades from trading guns to the Crow.

[Main Event J USO]

Get him up.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on, Silver.

[Narrator]

As the Lone Ranger and Tonto urged their powerful white stallion and sturdy paint along the snow crusted mountain trail of the Crow village. Some distance ahead of them, a band of hard faced men leisurely drove a train of pack mules toward the same destination. In their lead rode a tall man whose cheek was slit by an ugly scar. And a half breed with small beady eyes and guns strapped within quick reach of his hands. Indicating a gunman ought to be sighting

[Rude]

the Redskins village pretty soon.

[Daniels]

Breed.

[Breed]

Oh, we get there plenty quick now.

[Rude]

Can't be too quick to suit me. I'm hankered to make another killing.

[Breed]

Same kind of killing we made with the black feet, eh?

[Rude]

Rude. Did you ever see such dumb engines? After a couple of snorts of firewater, they were ready to trade us, their whole village for them guns.

[Breed]

I'll sell for what they gave us. Ain't a beaver skin left in the tribe.

[Rude]

15 and 20 pelts for a rifle. Them skins fetch $8 a piece at the fort. I tell you Breed, before we're through, we'll each have a bankroll three times as big as my fist.

[Breed]

Ain't figuring. Exchange the skins for cash at the fort?

[Rude]

Sure, why not?

[Breed]

They might ask embarrassing questions as to what we traded for the furs.

[Rude]

We don't have to tell them nothing.

[Breed]

Them soldiers find out we were the ones who stole their carbines from the wagon train, we won't get a chance to say anything.

[Rude]

They won't find out till we've collected our bounty for the furs and high tailed it out of here. Then they can whistle for us and the cash too.

[Breed]

And what if one of them Blackfeet takes into his head to go down to the fort carrying one of them new carbines?

[Rude]

He won't. Not until we're in the clear.

[Breed]

What do you mean?

[Rude]

If I know Blackfeet, they're all working themselves up to attack the Crows with them guns.

[Breed]

Attack the Crows? Suppose they raid the village while we're there trading?

[Rude]

The Blackfeet may be a bit riled from that firewater. We game breed but they ain't fools. They know from experience that killing the whites, likely as not, will mean their whole village will be wiped out.

[Breed]

Friggin you're right.

[Rude]

Crows a different manner. The Blackfeet hate them like poison. Who'll care if the redskins want to kill each other off just the same?

[Breed]

I still don't hanker to take them beaver pelts to the fort.

[Rude]

That's where they pay the big and the best. Ain't too good for the pelts we've got packing them mules back there.

[Breed]

And not to mention the skins we'll get from the Crows, eh, Rude?

[Rude]

Yeah. I hear them Crows have stored up a mess of fine furs to keep them warm for the winter.

[Breed]

They won't have it much longer. After we show them the new army carbines and give them a smell of that fire water, they'll be easy picking what came from behind that boulder. See the gun smoke?

[Rude]

That's not all I see. There's a masked army standing behind that rock.

[Breed]

And an engine.

[The Lone Ranger]

This is as far as you go, Rude.

[Rude]

I don't savvy this breed. What's your game, mister?

[The Lone Ranger]

You've traded all the stolen guns to the Indians that you're going to breed.

[Dan]

Did you hear?

[Rude]

He knows about them carbines.

[Breed]

It ain't the worst of it, Rude.

[Rude]

What do you mean?

[Breed]

While you were talking, I got a gander at a white horse behind that rock. Masked man. White horse? An Injun. Do you know what that adds up to?

[Rude]

Stop talking in riddles.

[Breed]

The Lone Ranger.

[Rude]

Yeah, I heard of that hombre.

[Breed]

And maybe you heard he don't take kindly to outlaws.

[Rude]

We don't get him, he'll get us. And with 20 of us packing irons to them, too, I figured the masked man will be on the receiving end. Open fire, boys.

[The Lone Ranger]

Let him have it.

[Breed]

Wait a minute. This ain't the way to do it.

[Rude]

You got any better ideas?

[Breed]

Yeah. Tell the boys to fan out and start crawling for that rock. We surround them, too. When we get near enough, we'll rush him.

[Rude]

I don't know. He can spot us easy against this snow.

[Breed]

Sure, but he can't shoot on four sides at once. And while he's taking a shot at one of us, he'll have to expose himself to three or four of our slugs.

[Rude]

That's so. I'll send him a little lead to show him what I mean.

[Breed]

Get down, you fool. You're right in his gunsight.

[Rude]

Oh, wing me.

[Breed]

Spread out, boys. Make tracks with that boulder. Surround them so they won't have a chance, Rud. Me will cover from this tree. Come on, Rud. Give him some of that lead poisoning you was boasting about.

[Rude]

Yeah, I will.

[Breed]

Soon as the boys are in position, we'll rid them from all sides. They haven't a chance to get out of that spot alive.

[Dan]

Give it to them.

[Rude]

Give it to them.

[The Lone Ranger]

Give it to.

[Narrator]

The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger story. Before the next exciting scenes, please permit us to pause for just a few moments.

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[The Lone Ranger]

Sam.

[Narrator]

Now to continue our story. Behind the now increasingly scant protection of their boulder which blocked the outlaws path to the Crow village, the Lone Ranger and Tonto watched the dark figures of the renegades burrow through the snow and former seculars around them. Then at a signal from Rude, the menacing circle of outlaws gradually closed in on the two defenders. Yelps of pain followed the crack of the masked man's and the Indians guns. But with every moment their position became more exposed to the fire of the gang.

[The Lone Ranger]

We can't hold out much longer, Toto. Once the gang is in position, they'll be able to shoot at us from every side.

[Narrator]

That's right.

[The Lone Ranger]

Only knew what happened to Dan. Oh him come. Bring plenty soldier. You see, as long as he's all right. I the gang's getting ready to rush us, Toto. Maybe we ride through him, make getaway. A long chance, but our only one. Ready, kimosabe? We ride down together. Here Silver.

[Main Event J USO]

Come scout.

[The Lone Ranger]

Here they come. We ride down. Yes, I listen. Soldiers come now look. You're right. And there's Dan riding at the head of them with the captain.

[Rude]

Hey, it's a cavalry run for it.

[The Lone Ranger]

What about the pack mules room?

[Rude]

Turn him loose.

[The Lone Ranger]

We'll lose all our beaver skins if we do.

[Rude]

We lose our own hides if we don't.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on boys, run. The gang's making A run for it, Toto. Steady, big fellow. Come on, Silver. Get him up, scout.

[Narrator]

As the troop of cavalry with the captain and Dan in the lead thundered into the clearing, the last of the renegades fled through a mountain crevasse and disappeared from sight, leaving their pack mules heavily laden with guns and beaver furs behind. From across the clearing, the Lone Ranger in Tonto rode to meet the troopers.

[The Lone Ranger]

You all right? Yes, Dan. You seem to be giving a good account of yourself.

[Dan]

We going to chase the renegades, Captain?

[The Lone Ranger]

Well, at the first sign of a trooper, the gang would scatter and lose

[Dan]

themselves in the woods.

[Narrator]

We'd never find them.

[Dan]

But you can't let them get away.

[The Lone Ranger]

The Captain's right, Dan. The only way to capture the gang is to keep them together.

[Narrator]

That right?

[Dan]

But how?

[The Lone Ranger]

Their tracks are clearly marked in the snow. You and I should have no difficulty trailing them. Ah, snow make trail easy.

[Monday.com Announcer]

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[Dan]

That's it then. We'll know when and where's the time for the cavalry to capture the whole shebang.

[The Lone Ranger]

The crates on these pack mules will give you the evidence you need against the gang, Captain. Ah, them carry guns? Fire water and beaver furs. The guns are army carbines stolen by the gang from your wagon train. You'll find many more waiting for you at the Blackfoot village. I see. I returned the beaver skins to the

[Narrator]

Blackfeet and receive the carbines.

[Rude]

Is that it?

[The Lone Ranger]

That's it. They're expecting you.

[Breed]

Good.

[The Lone Ranger]

I'll have my men drive the pack train back to the Blackfoot village at once. You'll hear from us, Captain. Come on, Silver, hit him up. Come get that boy. Get that horse cut on the ford.

[Narrator]

As the heavy laden, slow moving pack train was turned about by the soldiers and headed back toward the teepees of the Blackfeet. The Lone Ranger, Tonto and Dan raced along the mountain crevasse which the gang had traveled a short time before. The well marked trail led them on through the lengthening shadows of the afternoon while they kept constantly alert for the gang. Then suddenly they saw a faint wisp of smoke curl above a clump of trees not far ahead. Quickly reining in, they concealed their horses in the nearby woods and crept stealthily toward the camp of the outlaws.

[The Lone Ranger]

There they are. Them sit around fire, cook meal.

[Dan]

They seem to be quarreling about something.

[The Lone Ranger]

We crawl closer, maybe we hear. Oh, yes. Careful of those twigs.

[Dan]

Gosh, we can see and hear everything from here.

[The Lone Ranger]

This plenty good spot. Now let's listen. I tell you, rude. We couldn't be in Worse off if we tried.

[Daniels]

Yeah, we not only lost all them beaver skins, but the army carbines bestowed as well.

[Rude]

What do you want me to do, cry for you? Reed and me lost more than any of you.

[Breed]

That's right, boys.

[The Lone Ranger]

Hell, it was your idea, Rude. Turning them pack nudes loose.

[Daniels]

And with everything we owned on them too.

[Rude]

Lucky for all of you it was those troopers would have caught you red handed.

[Breed]

We didn't have any choice. Couldn't save those beaver skins and own skins too.

[Rude]

Maybe so.

[The Lone Ranger]

All I know is I worked plenty to get them guns and them furs and I got nothing to show for it.

[Daniels]

Me too.

[Breed]

Quiet. The masked man's the one to blame.

[Rude]

Him and the engine rolling in clover. Glad hombre came along.

[The Lone Ranger]

We've been kind of talking it over, Rude, we think.

[Rude]

Wait a minute. Who appointed you to speak, Daniels?

[Breed]

When there's any thinking to be done, Rude and me'll do it.

[Daniels]

Daniels is trying to say that a lot of us are figuring to quit the gang, Rude. Bust out our own.

[Rude]

Oh, so you want to break up, eh? That's not very smart of you boys. Especially when you've got several beaver pelts coming to you.

[The Lone Ranger]

What do you mean?

[Daniels]

Yeah, what are you getting at, Rude?

[Rude]

You surprised me, boys. I thought you gave me credit for more brains. And to figure I'd give up them skins so easy.

[Breed]

You know a way to get them back?

[Rude]

Yeah, not only the beaver, but the guns and the whiskey. Them pack mules are freighting as well.

[Dan]

Let's hear it.

[Daniels]

Lay it on the table.

[Rude]

Wait. What do you suppose is the first thing them soldiers will do with that pack train?

[Tonto]

Dunno.

[The Lone Ranger]

Search it, I reckon.

[Daniels]

Yeah, then they'll find the army carbines. We stole all them beaver pelts.

[Dan]

Right.

[Rude]

And if they ain't figured out for themselves what we traded for them pelts, a lone ranger will put them wise.

[Breed]

He must know we traded guns with the Blackfeet for the furs.

[Rude]

Sure. That's the first thing the cavalry will do. Ride to the Blackfeet village to reclaim their guns.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yeah. When they get there and hand back them skins for the carbines, we can kiss the beaver and the guns goodbye.

[Rude]

I got a hunch the soldiers won't reach the Injuns village.

[Dan]

Won't reach it.

[Daniels]

What's to stop them?

[Rude]

Ambush.

[Breed]

I don't serve you, Rude.

[Rude]

You remember where the trail swings wide toward that rocky patch about five miles this side of the village?

[Breed]

Yeah, yeah, I remember. The patch is shaped like a horseshoe.

[Rude]

Fifteen men could hide behind them boulders and pick off a mess of troopers if they rode into that horseshoe.

[Daniels]

They want right into it, though. Unless they have a reason.

[Rude]

They'll have a reason.

[Breed]

What?

[Rude]

Buffalo.

[The Lone Ranger]

Buffalo? You must be loco rude. We ain't seen hiding a hair of a buffalo in the three days we've

[Rude]

been in these parts. I. That's why I'm figuring on using five of you boys for buffalo.

[Daniels]

I don't get it.

[Rude]

I've got five buffalo skins, head and all, hidden in a cave a couple of miles from here.

[Breed]

Yeah.

[Rude]

If you boys was to hunt yourselves in your saddles and drape them skins over you and your horses, those troopers wouldn't know the difference till it was full of lead.

[The Lone Ranger]

Eh, that sounds pretty slick.

[Daniels]

You figure the fake buffalo will bait the troopers into the horseshoe?

[Rude]

Ah, sure. Once they're in, we'll riddle them from every side.

[Breed]

And what if the cavalry don't bite at the bait?

[Rude]

They'll bite. They'll fall all over themselves to get buffalo meat for their table.

[The Lone Ranger]

Sounds good enough for me.

[Daniels]

Sure. Once we take care of them soldiers, we'll make tracks with them pack mules again.

[Breed]

We can take them on to the Crows like we started out to do before we met up with that lone ranger.

[Rude]

That's a ticket, breed. Then when we take all the beaver skins the Crows have stored up, we'll mosey along to the fort and sell a lot of them for plenty of cash.

[Daniels]

The fort? Ain't that risky. After ambushing the troopers, nobody except those

[Rude]

that are caught will know about the ambush until after we've cleared these parts. Knows that our caught won't talk.

[Narrator]

Creeping stealthily through the woods to the brush concealment where they had hitched their horses, the lone Ranger, Tonto and Dan quickly discussed what they had heard. Then Tonto and the boy listened to the masked man's plan.

[The Lone Ranger]

This time we must make sure the gang doesn't escape.

[Dan]

They won't get away. We'll surprise them and surround them before they'll know what's happening.

[The Lone Ranger]

The cavalry must be warned of the ambush.

[Dan]

Well, I can ride to the captain.

[Tonto]

Good.

[The Lone Ranger]

You'll know what to do. We go back to gang's camp. Yes, kimosabe. You see, we've got to stay close on their trail when they go to the cave for those buffalo skins.

[Dan]

I'll see you later.

[The Lone Ranger]

Adios, Dan.

[Tonto]

Get up.

[The Lone Ranger]

Get along there, boy. Come on, Toto. We have work to do.

[Narrator]

A short time later, the masked man and his Indian friend watched Rude leave with the bulk of the gang to take up their stations. At the ambuscade, meanwhile, four outlaws led by Breed went to a nearby cave where Rude had cached his buffalo skins, unaware that they were followed by the Lone Ranger and Tonto. Concealed by brushwood outside, the latter watched while three of the outlaws rode from the cave themselves and their horses grotesquely masqueraded as buffalo. Then the masked man and the Indian went quietly inside.

[The Lone Ranger]

Put up your hands, Mask. You not make move, Injun. We'll take those buffalo skins. So that's your game, huh?

[Dan]

Well, try it.

[The Lone Ranger]

You not full guns, though. You give up buffalo skin plenty fast.

[Narrator]

Working swiftly, the Lone Ranger and Tonto gagged and bound the two outlaws. Then they draped the heavy buffalo skins over themselves and their horses and rode after the others, uninvited guests, to Rude's gruesome masquerade. Sometime later, hunched in their saddles and concealed by the huge buffalo skins, the masked man and the Indian worked their way to the mouth of the rocky horseshoe where Rude had planned his ambush. Through tiny slit holes they had made in their robes, they could see Rude staring intently at the trail, waiting for the cavalry to be baited into his trap. Inside the rocky enclosure, they knew Breed, together with the two other outlaws, was cloaked like themselves in the skin of a buffalo. Then suddenly, the Lone Ranger and Toddo heard the signal they had been waiting for the clear notes of a bugle.

[The Lone Ranger]

Soldiers are riding to the attack tunnel. Empty cowgloves. By surprise, Rude and his gang will be caught in their own trap.

[Rude]

We've been tricked.

[Breed]

How'd them soldiers know we were here?

[Rude]

Griddle them, boys. Drill them down. There's too many of them.

[Breed]

Drill them, boys.

[The Lone Ranger]

Get them so you spree.

[Rude]

They're cutting us off.

[Breed]

Mouth of the patch is still open.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on, let's ride.

[Rude]

I'm with you, High tailing horse. There's two of the boys at the Empress still hiding under the buffalo robes.

[The Lone Ranger]

I wonder why they look.

[Breed]

They're throwing off their robes.

[Rude]

The Lone Ranger and Agent.

[The Lone Ranger]

I want you, Rude.

[Main Event J USO]

No.

[Rude]

Let me out of here.

[Breed]

Stay away from me, red skinner.

[Main Event J USO]

I'll shoot.

[The Lone Ranger]

Take this one too.

[Breed]

I've had enough.

[Rude]

Out of my way, redskin.

[The Lone Ranger]

You're staying here.

[Rude]

Not if I can you ask for. Oh, my hand.

[The Lone Ranger]

You won't use that gun again. Are you meant to surrender?

[Rude]

No.

[The Lone Ranger]

Kill them.

[Rude]

Throw down your gun, boys. They've got us surrounded.

[The Lone Ranger]

Oh.

[Monday.com Announcer]

There.

[Dan]

Steady.

[Rude]

Steady, boy.

[Dan]

You're coming with me, Rude. You two, Breed, headquarters.

[The Lone Ranger]

I want to question you two about those carbines you stole. That plenty good pipe, Kimasabi. You all right? Yes, yes. T hey, have you seen Dan? Ah, him there with rest of soldiers. Oh, deadly. Silver. Easy, big fella. Ride out and pick him up, Toto. We've got all the evidence we need.

[Breed]

Masked man.

[The Lone Ranger]

Good. We were glad to be of service. Ready, Toto? Get him on. Come on, Silver.

[Bluff]

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[Monday.com Announcer]

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[Narrator]

The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.

[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 YouTube 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 is copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.

[Dan]

Hey everybody.

[Lady Luck]

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