A (11:21)

That night, Scoop Rogers and his companions waited in the darkness near a house at the edge of town. When they saw the veterinary leave his home for his habitual visit to the cafe they hurried to the stable and hitched a strong team to a closed wagon. Moose tied his horse behind the wagon and drove the team. Come on, get up there. Scoop and Blaze rode ahead.

A (11:42)

Two other men. The Brent brothers, followed.

A (11:57)

Meanwhile, at the Hornblow Ranch, Clarabelle was at work in the kitchen. The back door was opened. By thunder. Martin? Honey? Clarabelle. Oh, Ew. Shakes alive. What are you cooking at this time of the night? Turkey broth. And what's wrong with the time of night? Why it's almost 10 o'. Clock. 10 o' clock or 2 o', clock, it's all the same to me. If Condo says the Lone Ranger can take a little nourishment, I'm downright glad to do the cooking. Say, that that shoe smells good. Stand back from the stove. You're free to sniff. But you reach out to sample that there turkey broth and I'll break your arm. Oh, now, now, where you been for the past two hours? Well, sir, I was in the corral. I figured scouting Silver needed a little exercise, so I walked him around. You know, Clarabelle, Silver is mighty lonesome for the Lone Ranger. Yeah. Yep. I can tell by the way he acts. How? He's the Lone Ranger. I expect he's about the same as he was two hours ago. Todo told you then that his fever was going down? Yeah. That medicine the army doctor left here seems to be doing the trick. That's mighty good news. I wonder if the Lone Ranger's awake. I reckon so. Totto just came out of the bedroom for some warm water to bathe his face. Oh.

A (13:15)

He'D have to take off the mask to bathe his face. Yeah, that's right.

A (13:23)

If I was to walk into the bedroom unexpected, I could. Thunder Martin. Now, Clarabella, at the very least we can do is to respect the desire of our friend to keep his identity a secret. No one but an ornery polecat would think of taking advantage of a situation like this. The Lone Ranger came here when he was wounded because he knew he could trust I'd read it. Clarabelle, I didn't mean to go into the next room until Tondo says it's all right. There. That sounded like it came from the corral. Yeah. Are the horses all right? Well, they were when I left the corral a few minutes ago. Well, there's something going on. I'm gonna look out the back door.

A (14:01)

Thunder, there's a wagon at the corral and four or five men. Let me see that. Say, they got a rope on Silver. Hey there, you sidewinders. Why, they're shooting at us. Those shots were just a warning. Stay right there at the door. You leave that white horse alone, or you'll hang from the highest tree this side of the border. Listen to me. We'll leave as soon as we get Silver inside the wagon. We'll leave a note telling how the Lone Ranger can get his horse.

A (14:31)

Scoop Rogers was beside the wagon that had been backed to the corral gate. He held a rifle pointed at Thunder and Clarabelle, who stood in the light that came through the open door from the kitchen. Moose, Blaze and the Brent brothers were trying to force Silver up the inclined ramp that had been formed by lowering the tailgate of the wagon. But Silver fought like a demon. You can't handle this critter. He nearly got me. Suddenly, there was an Indian war cry.

A (14:55)

Tono came from the house, brushed past Thunder and Clarabel, and ran toward the corral. Someone's coming. Shut up, Scope. It's Tano. Never mind the horse. Stop fighting Silver. Draw your guns and hold them at the horse's head. Totto rushed forward with blind fury, ready to fight the overwhelming odds of 5 to 1. Then scoop Rogers spoke sharply. Do you want Silver dead? Totto saw the six guns pointed at the masked man's horse. You. You steal Silver. We're taking that horse with us, or we're leaving him here dead. I'll give you a note telling how the Lone Ranger can get his horse. But first you've got to help us load the critter. You want me help you, Steel? Silver, you help us or you'll see that horse die right here on the spot.

A (15:42)

The Lone Ranger could hear the voices and the struggle. Mustering his meager strength, he dragged himself from the bed to the window and saw Tonto guiding Silver up the ramp and into the wagon.

A (15:58)

A moment later, the masked man saw the wagon closed and saw it driven away with Silver inside.

A (16:04)

Taho stood alone near the corral. Must do something. The Lone Ranger stood up, staggered to the door of the bedroom. And then his strength gave out. He collapsed and lay motionless on the floor.

A (16:27)

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

A (16:47)

SpinQuest Social Casino the presents are open and you're over the in laws. It's a perfect time to grab your phone and play spinquest.com with live dealer, blackjack, crafts and a ton of slots. And here's a great deal for the holiday. A $30 coin pack for $10. And if you're hearing this ad, you can play right now on spinquest.com Spinquest is a free to play social casino. Visit spinquest.com for more details. What do you think makes the perfect snack? Hmm, it's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient. Could you be more specific when it's cravenient? Okay, like a freshly baked cookie made with real butter, available right down the street at a.m. p.m. Or a savory breakfast sandwich. I can grab in just a second at a.m. pM. I'm seeing a pattern here. Well, yeah, we're talking about what I crave, which is anything from am, pm. What more could you want? Stop by AMPM where the snacks and drinks are perfectly craveable and convenient. That's cravenience. Ampm. Too much. Good stuff. Corporate megastores are spending millions lobbying D.C. politicians on one sided policies that send small businesses tumbling. They want to enact harmful credit card mandates that take resources away from your local credit union and community bank, leaving Main street businesses with less access to credit, making it harder for your family to pay for everyday goods like gas and groceries. Tell Congress to guard your card and oppose the Durbin Marshall credit card mandates paid for by Electronic Payments Coalition.

A (18:26)

Ram.

A (19:02)

Now to continue. When Scoop and his companion started away with silver in a closed wagon, Tonto returned from the corral with the note Scoop Rogers had given him. As he entered the house, he saw the Lone Ranger lying on the floor near the bedroom door. Thunder and Clarabelle were at his side. Tonto, what's happened to him? He's unconscious. Why in tarnation did he get out of bed? Maybe him here. What? Horse thief. Say what? He is he all right? Me think him just faint from weakness. They carry him to bed. Here, I'll give you a hando. Crooks make make me help or them shoot horse. We heard it all, Tono. Say, did you get the note? But not read it yet. I'll turn back the blanket there. Let me cover him. Do you think he needs medicine or anything? Todo we wait. See what's that? No say.

A (19:55)

There'S plenty bad. What's it say? Crooks wants silver mine for safe return. A horse a silver mine. Duration are they local? Why? Even if the Lone Ranger was willing to pay tribute to crooks, which he'd never do, how in tarnishing to give him a silver mine? Him own half silver mine. He does. Do you own the other half? No, no. Other half belong to Dan Reed. What? I never heard of the Lone Ranger working of mine. Him not work it old man there him take out enough silver to pay for food and make silver bullets horseshoes. Is the claim registered anywhere? No, not. Why it easy for crooks to take it. All them need is map. A map, huh? Message say draw map, show where mine located. Crooks get map, then go to mine after them file claim, then send back Lone Ranger's horse. Well, what's to be done with a map after it's drawn? How are we supposed to get it to the crooks? We put it under rock beside a pine tree in middle of Sour Grass Valley. Say, I know that place. Does the note say when that map has to be there? It's a hap map there by tomorrow sunrise. We got to decide what to do about it. Well, maybe we should wait until the Lone Ranger wakes up and see what he has to say. Him not me term. Him say Dan Reed owns share of mine. We wouldn't make a deal anyhow. He's dead set against encouraging crooks by meeting terms like this. I suppose they'll know it if we try to track him down. Why, sure they will. They'll be watching. For a move like that. You try to fight them or turn them over to the law and they'll kill the horse. And they'll do the same if they don't get the map. I'd rather. We gotta do something. A freak map. No, no, that's no good. They'll not let Silver go until they file the claim.

A (21:53)

The Lone Ranger spoke so softly that Tonto had to bend over the bed and place his ear close to the moving lips in one pencil paper. The Lone Ranger gripped the pencil at Clarabelle, reached for him while Tanto held a pad of paper. Then the pencil started moving, making lines that slowly took the form of a map. It was as though some greater power guided the hand of the semi conscious man. Thunder. Clarabelle and Tonto watched tensely. They almost held their breath as if afraid of breaking some sort of spell. When the drawing was completed, the Lone Ranger dropped the pencil once more. His lips moved. What'd he say todo him say take this map to Pine Tree. He must have heard us talking, huh? Tono, is that drawing really a map showing where the silver mine's located? It map but it not show way to silver mine. It show place where Silver born to. Wild Horse Valley. Yeah. When they get there and realize they've been given a false lead, they'll shoot Silver. We. We can't leave this map for them. Me do what Lone Rangers say. But Toddaway, he didn't know what he was doing. I wonder. Huh? What's that, Clarabelle? Somehow I had the feeling when he was drawing that map that his hand was being guided by the hand of destiny. Me finish map, then leave it near Pine Tree. Toddle, toddle. Look at our friend. He's smiling. You must be doing the right thing.

A (23:22)

At noon of the next day, Moose and Blaze and the Brent brothers watched from a place in the hills near the cave where Silver, the stolen wagon and the team that Drew it had been hidden. The outlaws saw Scoop Rogers ride across the open valley to the tall pine tree, secure the map and then ride back to the hideout. Boys, I got the map. We saw you pick up something from beneath the rock. Easy. It's a good map too. It'll be easy to follow. You think it's genuine? If not, that Lone Ranger will never see his horse again. Did you boys see anyone watching me when I rode across the valley? No, we didn't see anyone. But that doesn't prove anything. Tono or Thunder Martin might have been hitting the hills the same as we are. They could have watched you. And if so, they'd know you were headed this way. Yeah, maybe they'll follow your trail. If they do, they'll find the cave. And if we leave Silver in the cave? When we start with a silver mine, I'll leave the team and wagon in the cave, but we'll take Silver with us. Think we can leave that horse on the line? He's mighty wild and strong. He'll go when he learns he has to. Now let's get started. If we travel fast, we'll be able to examine our silver line before dark.

A (24:21)

Toto and Thunder Martin had been watching when Scoop Rogers left the valley and rode to join his friends. Then, instead of following his tracks, they rode through the hills on a direct line toward Wild Horse Valley. Here, where rugged mountains overlooked the green carpeted expanse where Silver had been born. The two drew rein. Whoa.

A (24:40)

Tonto. I don't see how there's any hope for Silver. We wait here in mountains, see what happened. We must have got here well ahead of those horse thieves. Isn't that right? Them follow map Them come roundabout way, they'll know blame. Well, there's no silver mine around here. Then they'll shoot the lone Rangers horse. Maybe we stop them. Soon as we make a move, they'll shoot. Unless it. What you gonna say? Well, you know, I figure there's one way we might save Silver. How? That open fire on those crooks as soon as they show up. There were three of them at the corral last night. We might drop them all before they had a chance to shoot the horse. No. Lone Ranger not want that. What dog on it. He doesn't want to lose his horse either. Him not want save Silver by killing men. We wake here, Thunder. We watch.

A (25:36)

Silver seemed to know where he was going. At first he had fought against the rope by which he was led. But soon he learned that escape was impossible and went willingly with Scoop and his companions. As he Neared Wild Horse Valley. The white stallion's ears were pointed forward and his eyes seemed to gleam with expectation. He trotted ahead as far as the rope around his neck permitted. Scoop Rogers laughed. Boys, notice the way Silva's behaving. He seems to know where he's going. He acts like he's anxious to get there. That proves we got a genuine map. He's been here before. He's heading straight for that gap in the mountains ahead. Is that gap shown on your map, Scoop? Yeah. We're to go through the gap and into a wide valley just beyond that where we find the silver mine. That's where we find the place. It's marked on this map by a letter. X. Is X the silver mine? I don't know what else it could be. Get out. Come on, get him.

A (26:27)

With the end of their trip so close at hand, the thieves increased the pace of their horses and in a few moments rode through the narrow gap to the wide, lush valley. Here they drew rein. We must be close. Now, let's see. According to this map. What's the matter with children? I don't know.

A (26:45)

Quiet down there. Quiet down. You hauling on that rope? Moose, keep him quiet. Easy.

A (26:52)

Another horse whinnied from behind big boulders somewhere ahead. Silver responded.

A (26:57)

Hey, there's another horse here. We've been led into a trap, boys. There seems to be a number of horses in this valley. Wonder what it means. Silver knew that he had reached the place of his birth, the valley that was home to powerful horses that had never known the restraint of bit or bridle. The great white stallion had sounded a call for help. The other horses understood. Hey, look at those horses. They're wild ones. They're heading this way. There's two more coming from the rocks on our left and another on our right. You think they'll attack us?

A (27:26)

At that instant, Silver made a sudden sharp turn and charged directly at Moose. He bumped the outlaw's horse and sent it staggering to one side. Then Silver's friends closed in.

A (27:37)

There was a mad melee of thundering hoofs and charging horses and shrill cries of panic as the horse thieves tried to guide their frightened moms to turn and flee. Deacon Joe Brent were knocked down. Scoop Rogers was the first to break away without regard for his companions. Thinking only of his own life, he shouted, get up. Get up there. In a moment, Blaze made his escape, but Moose was trapped. The rope from Silver's neck was tied around the pommel of his saddle. He went down screaming in panic.

A (28:07)

Tonto and Thunder Martin had been Watching the wild drama when they saw Scoop, Rogers and Blaze dash out of the canyon they leaped to the saddle and started in pursuit. Get it back. Get him up, scout.

A (28:19)

Draw rein, you ornery horse. Seaman Pole, catch Draw rein or Will open fire and blast you clear out of those saddles. Get him up. Come. I gave you fair warning. Now I'm gonna shoot. The bullet brushed Scoot Roger's arm. The single shot was all that was required. Don't shoot. Hold your fire. Don't shoot. Shoot again, then. Hands up. Get them up. Keep them plenty high. I'm just in the right mood to drill your bow so we don't have to take in prisoners. No, don't shoot. Don't shoot it. This mouth while we tie it. Say, Toto, what about Silver? Let me go back, get Silver. After these fellas tied, what about the three critters who went down in the canyon? Me see about them.

A (29:08)

Throughout that night, Clarabel maintained a vigil. She sat close to the open door of the room where the Lone Ranger slept. The night was nearly gone when she heard hoofbeats. She rushed to the window and saw Silver being turned into the corral. And a few moments later, Tonto and Thunder entered the house. They looked tired but happy. Tonto. Thunder, I saw you bringing Silver bags.

A (29:35)

Oh, he's been sleeping like a baby all night long. Go to bed, sir. Thunder, did you get the thieves? We sure did. We took him to town and the sheriff jailed them. They'll get at least 10 years, but they're lucky to be alive. How's that? Well, one has a bullet wound in the arm and three were hurt by wild horses. Wild horses? Yep. That map took the crooks to Wild Horse Valley where Silver's friends took care of the situation. And that the funniest thing. What's funny? Well, the leader of the crooks was a newspaper man named Scoop Rogers. He used to work for Horace Greeley, but got fired for being crooked. What's so funny about that? Well, sir, it seems he sent a telegram to Mr. Greeley asking for another chance of being a reporter. Yeah, that was an answer to his telegram. It was in town waiting for him. Mr. Greeley said he was glad to learn that Rogers had decided to go straight and he'd be glad to give him another chance.

A (30:32)

Oh, my. And now he's in jail awaiting trial for horse stealing. Yep. You know, it seems that after he sent the message to Mr. Greeley, he made one great big mistake. He got the notion that he could steal from the Lone Ranger.

A (30:59)

Sam.

A (31:31)

Foreign.

A (31:38)

Social Casino the presents are open and you're over the in laws. It's a perfect time to grab your phone and play spinquest.com with live dealer blackjack, craps and a ton of slots. And here's a great deal for the holiday, a $30 coin pack for $10. And if you're hearing this ad, you can play right now on spinquest.com Spinquest is a free to play social casino. Visit spinquest.com for more details. What do you think makes the perfect snack? Hmm, it's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient. Could you be more specific when it's cravenient? Okay, like a freshly baked cookie made with real butter available right down the street at a.m. p.m. Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can grab in just a second at a.m. p.m. I'm seeing a pattern here. Well yeah, we're talking about what I crave which is anything from AM pm. What more could you want? Stop by AMPM where the snacks and drinks are perfectly craveable and convenient. That's cravenience ampm Too much good stuff. DC politicians want to enact harmful credit card mandates that could take away your cash back and rewards points perks that stretch your budget and make life a little easier. Losing these benefits means less money for your family's everyday essential like gas and groceries. The perks you rely on could disappear, leaving you with higher costs and fewer options. Tell Congress to guard your card and oppose the Durban Marshall credit card mandates paid for by Electronic Payments Coalition.

A (33:19)

Sam.

A (33:59)

This is a feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated created by George W. Trendle, produced by Trendle Campbell Muir Incorporated and directed by Fred Flowerday. Tonight's drama was written written by Fram Stryker. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beamer.

A (34:35)

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 Ron W. 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 Like Copyright for more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.

A (36:02)

Spin Quest Social Casino the presents are open and you're over the in laws. It's a perfect time to grab your phone and play spinquest.com with live dealer, blackjack, crafts and a ton of slots. And here's a great deal for the holiday a 30 coin pack for $10. And if you're hearing this ad, you can play right now on SpinQuest.com SpinQuest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details. What do you think makes the perfect snack? Hmm, it's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient. Could you be more specific when it's cravenient? Okay, like a freshly baked cookie made with real butter, available right down the street at am, pm Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can grab in just a second at a.m. pM. I'm seeing a pattern here. Well yeah, we're talking about what I crave, which is anything from AM pm. What more could you want? Stop by AMPM where the snacks and drinks are perfectly craveable and convenient. That's cravenience ampm Too much good stuff. DC politicians want to enact harmful credit card mandates that could take away your cash back and rewards points perks that stretch your budget and make life a little easier. Losing these benefits means less money for your family's everyday essentials like gas and groceries. The perks you rely on could disappear, leaving you with higher costs and fewer options. Tell Congress to guard your card and oppose the Durbin Marshall credit card mandates paid for by Electronic Payments Coalition.