The Coward | The Lone Ranger (12-14-53)

Summary

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Old Time Radio Westerns – Episode Summary

Podcast: Old Time Radio Westerns

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode: The Coward | The Lone Ranger (12-14-53)
Release Date: July 10, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns immerses listeners in the classic Lone Ranger adventure, “The Coward,” originally aired on December 14, 1953. Host Andrew Rhynes presents this digitally restored episode, which follows the Lone Ranger and Tonto as they pursue the notorious Harvey Clayton gang across the Kansas plains. The narrative pivots on issues of courage and reputation, as the story intertwines with the fate of Private Jim Brandon, a young cavalryman accused of cowardice after fleeing battle. Themes of misunderstanding, redemption, and justice are central, all rendered in vivid soundscapes reminiscent of the golden age of radio.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Ambush in the Valley

• Setup: The Lone Ranger and Tonto, tracking the Clayton gang, witness the outlaws ambushing a detachment of U.S. Cavalry.
• Heroic Intervention: From a hidden ridge, the masked duo’s gunfire turns the tide, helping the troopers and forcing the outlaws to retreat.

  "Fire fast and try to make them think more than two men are behind their backs." — The Lone Ranger [05:30]

2. Meeting the Cavalry

• Mistrust and Misunderstanding: Captain Kincaid, leading the cavalry, misjudges the masked man as a rival outlaw.

• Message for Help: The Lone Ranger requests Captain Kincaid to inform Colonel Selby at Fort Riley about the outlaws’ location and their own tracking.

  "Please tell him that T and I'll continue our pursuit of the Clayton gang. And we leave a trail that can be easily followed." — The Lone Ranger [07:53]

• The Cowardly Accusation: It is revealed Private Jim Brandon, son of a revered officer, fled the battle and is branded a coward. Kincaid expresses harsh disappointment:

  "So did I. And it's a good thing he didn't live to see the day when his son would disgrace his good name." — Captain Kincaid [08:57]

3. The Pursuit and The Trail

• Tracking the Outlaws: The Lone Ranger and Tonto follow the outlaws through rugged canyons, leaving clear marks for the cavalry to find them later.

  "With marks like this to guide them, the troopers should be able to follow us with no loss of time." — The Lone Ranger [11:20]

• Discovery of the Hideout: The duo locates the gang’s fortified blind canyon camp and sets up surveillance, awaiting military backup.

  "They have a barricade of rocks across the canyon at its open end, leaving only a narrow gap." — The Lone Ranger [12:30]

4. Jim Brandon’s Crisis of Conscience

• Encounter with the Lone Ranger: Brandon, wracked with shame, follows the marked trail, ready for a fatal showdown. He mistakes the Lone Ranger and Tonto for outlaws before realizing his error.
• Reflection and Regret: Facing condemnation for desertion, Jim confesses his panic and fear under fire. The Lone Ranger offers compassion:

  "Fear is a normal emotion. The bravest of men know fear." — The Lone Ranger [17:10] "Your father knew fear? Many times, but went ahead in spite of it." — The Lone Ranger [17:16] "I went back to the scene of the fight and started from there. I wanted to find the crooks and shoot it out. I expected to be killed, but at least I'd redeem myself." — Jim Brandon [17:27]

5. Decision Point and Daring Plan

• Lone Ranger’s Duty: Despite the odds, the masked man refuses to abandon their post, determined to prevent the gang’s escape.
• Brandon’s Redemptive Act: Initially loathing his own “cowardice,” Jim volunteers to warn Colonel Selby, risking arrest and court-martial to ensure justice.

  "That doesn't matter what happens to me. But if the Lone Ranger's killed. That can't happen. I'm going." — Jim Brandon [18:58]

6. The Final Siege

• Night Attack: As darkness falls, hope for rescue dwindles. Suddenly, burning brush is thrown from above; the cavalry has arrived, using fire to expose the outlaws.
• Canyon Battle: In a dramatic fight, the Lone Ranger, Tonto, and Kincaid's men close in, overwhelming the Clayton gang and capturing the outlaws.

  "They're dropping bundles of burning brush into the camp." — Tonto [20:43] "It was a short fight with the outcome never in doubt. Captain Kincaid's men quickly overwhelmed the Clayton gang." — Narrator [21:21]

7. Resolution & Redemption

• Mutual Respect: Captain Kincaid apologizes to the Lone Ranger after learning the truth and credits Private Brandon’s initiative in saving the day.
• Second Chances: Kincaid outlines that voluntary return after desertion can mean mere absence without leave (AWOL), downplaying Jim’s offense and hinting at a more hopeful future.

  "A soldier who returns voluntarily may be considered merely absent without leave. That opens the way to punishing the offender with nothing more than a fine reprimand." — Captain Kincaid [22:53] "Then Brandon will have another chance to become a soldier like his father." — The Lone Ranger [23:07]

• Parting Words: The episode ends with handshake and mutual respect between the heroes and the cavalry, and hope for Jim Brandon’s future.

  "Thank you. I trust we'll meet again. Until then, sir, good luck." — Captain Kincaid [23:17]

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Notable Quotes

• On Justice and Reputation:

  "No, but if we trail them to a hideout, we get that gunfire on the other side of the hill. Mount your horse." — The Lone Ranger [04:43]

• On Courage and Fear:

  "My dad was called a fearless fighter." — Jim Brandon
  "Your father knew fear? Many times, but went ahead in spite of it." — The Lone Ranger [17:16]

• On Sacrifice and Duty:

  "If we have to fight without help, we'll do our best." — The Lone Ranger [18:34]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:28] – Introduction of the Lone Ranger and the pursuit of the Clayton gang
• [05:17] – The Lone Ranger and Tonto aid the outnumbered cavalry
• [06:36] – Tense exchange with Captain Kincaid; accusations against Jim Brandon
• [09:45] – Lone Ranger and Tonto set out to follow outlaws
• [12:15] – Discovery of the outlaw hideout
• [15:06] – Jim Brandon confronts the Lone Ranger; confesses his turmoil
• [17:10] – The Lone Ranger comforts Brandon about fear
• [20:39] – Cavalry attack with burning brush; chaos in the outlaw camp
• [22:01] – Captain Kincaid apologizes; Brandon’s fate resolved
• [23:17] – Mutual respect; episode conclusion

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Memorable Moments

• The high-stakes standoff behind the bolder, where the Lone Ranger’s calm under fire is contrasted with Jim Brandon’s panic and subsequent rise to courage.
• The inventive use of fireballs by the cavalry, turning the landscape itself against the outlaws.
• The Lone Ranger’s empathetic counsel to Jim Brandon, reinforcing the theme that courage is not the absence of fear but action in spite of it.

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Final Thoughts

“The Coward” is a classic Lone Ranger story that weaves suspenseful action with moral lessons on courage, duty, and redemption. The episode is marked by layered character moments, especially the arc of Jim Brandon from disgraced coward to someone deserving a second chance. The restored audio brings the wild west to life—with hoofbeats, gunshots, and the iconic call of “Hi-Yo, Silver!” echoing in vibrant clarity.

For anyone who loves traditional western storytelling packed with honor, redemption, and thrilling adventures, this episode is not to be missed.

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Transcript

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[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]

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[Jim Brandon]

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[Narrator]

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[Narrator]

With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the daring and resourceful mask rider of the plains led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. 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.

[Tonto]

Silver.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger rides again.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on, Silver. Let go, big fella. Are you Silver? Hooray.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger and Tato, following the trail of an outlaw gang, threw rain and dismounted near the top of a hill in Kansas. The tracks of the outlaws horses were

[The Lone Ranger]

clearly defined, judging from these hoof marks. How many men do you think are with Harvey Clayton now?

[Tonto]

He'd say 20, maybe 22.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, that's what I estimate.

[Tonto]

He's not fight that man.

[The Lone Ranger]

No, but if we trail them to a hideout, we get that gunfire on the other side of the hill. Mount your horse. Easy become easy, fella.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger and Toto hurried to the top of the hill where they halted at a stand of gr. Through the brush they saw Harvey Clayton and his gang near the foot of the slope firing from behind a row of boulders big enough to protect both the men and their horses. The outlaws were firing at a small detachment of United States Cavalry that had been patrolling the valley.

[Tonto]

Troopers outnumbered them. Need help.

[The Lone Ranger]

Get our horses out of sight. Backpack a few yards.

[Narrator]

The masked man quickly saw that the troopers, caught with no protection on the floor of the open valley, had spread out, dismounted and hugged the ground to fight as best they could.

[The Lone Ranger]

Leave the horses here. We'll fire down from the ridge at the crooks. Fire fast and try to make them think more than two men are behind their backs.

[Tonto]

Be ready.

[The Lone Ranger]

Keep down so you'll not be seen. Now let them have it.

[Narrator]

The outlaws were fully exposed to the sudden unexpected burst of gunfire from the top of the hill. Behind their backs, the low ranger and Topple fired accurately despite the distance. Several crooks were wounded. Others saw bullets but barely missed. Knocked chips from the boulders. Clayton shout rose above the plaque of guns. The guns of the Lone Ranger and Toto were soon empty. But the devastating fire accomplished its purpose. The outlaws spurred their horses along the base of the hill toward a bend while the troopers maintained carbine fire until the last of the crooks were was out of sight. While reloading their guns after the skirmish, the Lone Ranger and Toto saw a man in a captain's uniform ride up the hill and they stepped through the underbrush to meet him.

[The Lone Ranger]

Hold steady.

[Captain Kincaid]

Master can't say that I'm proud of the fact that I'm indebted to an outlaw gang.

[The Lone Ranger]

Captain. I'm not an outlaw and I have no gang. Potto's the only man with me.

[Captain Kincaid]

You mean to say that you too did all that firing?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, Captain. We each had two guns. I'm Captain Jingade from Port Riley.

[Captain Kincaid]

Yes.

[The Lone Ranger]

Glad to know you, Captain.

[Captain Kincaid]

I came to thank you for your aid.

[The Lone Ranger]

You're welcome. Are you going to come back here with more men and ammunition to go after the outlaws?

[Captain Kincaid]

Sir, my plans are no concern of yours.

[The Lone Ranger]

The Clayton gang is of great concern to me. Potto and I have trailed those cooks for a long time. We hope to locate their hideout, then request aid from Fort Riley in capturing them.

[Captain Kincaid]

Indeed. I dare say it would be helpful to you if the cavalry eliminated a rival outlaw.

[The Lone Ranger]

I told you, I'm not an outlaw.

[Captain Kincaid]

Who are you?

[The Lone Ranger]

People call me the Lone Ranger.

[Captain Kincaid]

That means nothing to me.

[The Lone Ranger]

It will mean something to the commandant at Fort Riley.

[Captain Kincaid]

Colonel Selby.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, and so will the name Harvey Clayton. The colonel's familiar with the activities of the Clayton gang.

[Captain Kincaid]

Colonel Selby will read my report. As a matter of standard procedure, he must have.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes.

[Tonto]

Toddle other soldier coming this uphill.

[Captain Kincaid]

Lieutenant Clark. I told him to report to me as soon as possible.

[The Lone Ranger]

Captain Kincaid, will you please give Colonel Selby a message?

[Captain Kincaid]

What is the message?

[The Lone Ranger]

Please tell him that T and I'll continue our pursuit of the Clayton gang. And we leave a trail that can be easily followed.

[Captain Kincaid]

I'll deliver your message if I have the opportunity.

[The Lone Ranger]

But Captain Kincaid.

[Captain Kincaid]

Excuse me.

[The Lone Ranger]

Great Scott.

[Captain Kincaid]

Lieutenant, report on casualties.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, sir.

[Narrator]

Wounded men have been treated and all

[Captain Kincaid]

five are able to ride as far as the fort. Has Private Brandon been found? No, sir. Did no one see him? Two of the men saw him, sir.

[The Lone Ranger]

As soon as the shooting started.

[Captain Kincaid]

Instead of dismounting to return the fire,

[The Lone Ranger]

he rode away cowardly deserted. It's hard to believe Jim Brandon's a coward, sir.

[Captain Kincaid]

Of course he's a coward. Well, it was his first time under fire. That's no excuse. When he's found, he'll be court martialed. Return to your detachment, Lieutenant, and form the column. We're going back to the fort. Yes, sir.

[The Lone Ranger]

Easy, boy.

[Tonto]

Get up.

[Captain Kincaid]

Get up.

[The Lone Ranger]

Captain, is the deserter related to Major Brandon who was killed by Indians a few years ago?

[Captain Kincaid]

The deserter is Major Brandon's son.

[The Lone Ranger]

Oh.

[Captain Kincaid]

Why did you ask?

[The Lone Ranger]

I knew Major Brandon.

[Captain Kincaid]

So did I. And it's a good thing he didn't live to see the day when his son Would disgrace his good name. Steady there. Goodbye.

[The Lone Ranger]

Goodbye, Captain Kincaid.

[Captain Kincaid]

Get up there.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on. Get up, Toto. We'll get our horses.

[Tonto]

Captain. He plenty unfriendly.

[The Lone Ranger]

He still thinks I'm an outlaw, Toto. And he hates outlaws.

[Tonto]

Him hate cowards.

[The Lone Ranger]

I've heard of Captain Kincaid. He's been in Fort Riley only a short time. Steady, Silver. We're moving as soon as I tighten the cinch. I'd like to talk to Brandon.

[Tonto]

We follow tracks, look for him.

[The Lone Ranger]

I'd like to, but we have a more important job.

[Tonto]

Follow Clayton gang.

[Captain Kincaid]

Yes.

[The Lone Ranger]

We'll stick to their trails from now on. We'll have to be more careful than ever to avoid an ambush. You ready?

[Tonto]

Easy.

[Unknown Western Character]

Ready, big fort? Me. You ready?

[Narrator]

From the scene of the skirmish, it was easy for the masked man and Tahoe to follow the trail of the outlaws who, in fleeing for their lives, had made no effort to conceal their tracks. But darkness closed in to end the pursuit temporarily. The Lone Ranger and his Indian companion were in the saddle at daybreak. After about an hour, they saw that the tracks were increasingly hard to discern.

[The Lone Ranger]

Better blaze a trail from here on. Cut a section of bark off the trunk of this tree and point the outlaws direction.

[Narrator]

From that point, the trail of the outlaws led into desolate, rugged hills and through canyons floored with solid rock where only the faintest of scratches gave evidence that horses had recently walked there. The masked man and Tahoe were able to continue the pursuit only because of their ability to find marks that would be imperceptible to anyone with skill less highly developed. At short intervals and at each sign of the outlaws the Lone Ranger used his knife to make big, clear scratches on the rocky ground.

[The Lone Ranger]

With marks like this to guide them, the troopers should be able to follow us with no loss of time.

[Tonto]

You plenty sure them come?

[The Lone Ranger]

I'm counting on them, Toto. Now let's find the next sign. Easy, said a big fellow. Come on. Come, scout, come.

[Narrator]

The canyon gradually narrowed until the high walls were less than 50ft apart. At noon, when the two men neared a right angle turn, the masked man raised a hand and said,

[The Lone Ranger]

I'll see what's beyond the bend. We don't want to run into an ambush.

[Tonto]

Me look Kima Tabby.

[The Lone Ranger]

No, you stay here with the horses. I'll be right back.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger moved forward cautiously and disappeared around the bend. After several minutes, he rejoined Toto and spoke in a voice of restrained excitement.

[The Lone Ranger]

Tahoe, the end of the trail.

[Tonto]

You see outlaws, Kimasabi?

[The Lone Ranger]

No, but I saw a couple of their horses in a place that looks like a permanent hideout. This canyon has a dead end about a hundred yards beyond the bend.

[Tonto]

You mean it Blind canyon?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes.

[Tonto]

Outlaws not wise have hideout in place with only one way in and out.

[The Lone Ranger]

Maybe they are a wise tunnel. The walls are high and steep. They're well fortified. They have a barricade of rocks across the canyon at its open end, leaving only a narrow gap. The crooks are camped in the enclosure provided by the barricade in the walls of the canyon.

[Tonto]

Outlaw see you.

[The Lone Ranger]

I'm sure they didn't. I crossed behind a big boulder a short distance beyond the bend.

[Tonto]

Me savvy.

[The Lone Ranger]

Leave the horses here and come with me. We'll take positions behind the boulder and watch the outlaws camp until the cavalry arrives.

[Narrator]

We'll continue our lonely ranger adventure in just a moment.

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[The Lone Ranger]

All over the country in every direction. How you how you doing?

[Jim Brandon]

Is the question.

[The Lone Ranger]

And here's what that happy people have to say.

[Narrator]

Eatin our Wheaties and do do do

[Unknown Western Character]

an okay okay you bet we're eating our Wheaties out west. Including the champs. Take Eddie Matthews. Born in Texarkana, Texas and a great slugger for the Milwaukee Braves. He got a Texas start and a Wheatie start. Been eating them for years. And there's Gene Littler from California. One of the best pro golfers in the game. Listen how he socks him off the tee.

[Jim Brandon]

You bet.

[Unknown Western Character]

Gene's a Wheaties champ. Been eaten him since he was 7. A he man breakfast for champs and gonna be champs. Why there's a whole kernel of wheat in every Wheaties flake.

[The Lone Ranger]

Keep on eating your Wheaties and you'll

[Narrator]

be new to you and I. Now to continue. About an hour later, Jim Brandon, the deserter rode slowly along the canyon floor, following the trail the Lone Ranger had defined by scratches on rocks. Shading his eyes from the overhead sun, the young private saw Scout and Silver at ground hitch. He dismounted and spoke to his horse.

[Captain Kincaid]

I'll leave you here fella.

[Jim Brandon]

The crooks are probably near those horses and they'll hear me if I ride any closer.

[Narrator]

Leaving the army horse, Jim Brandon drew his gun and advanced silently. He passed the white horse and the paint. Then, standing close to the canyon wall and peering around the bend, he saw the masked man and Indians seated on the ground close to the boulder. He stepped into full view, leveled his gun and called, hands up, both of you.

[Jim Brandon]

Put him up.

[Captain Kincaid]

I'll shoot.

[The Lone Ranger]

Get down. You're in plain view of killers.

[Jim Brandon]

I'm covering the only killers I see. Hey.

[Unknown Western Character]

What?

[The Lone Ranger]

You fool, you.

[Narrator]

The first shots in the outlaws hideout distracted Jim's attention for the split second. The Lone Ranger needed to leap from the shelter of the rock and grip the soldier's gun.

[Unknown Western Character]

I go up. Can you?

[The Lone Ranger]

We help him out. Him. Tuttle, you return that gunfire. Keep those cooks behind the rocks.

[Tonto]

He's heavy.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger fought to bring Jim behind the protecting boulder while Jim, bewildered by the sudden developments, struggled to free his gun hand. Both were exposed to the gunfire of the outlaws who were too distant for accuracy. But even at the distance, a bullet pierced the masked man's hat and another grazed his shoulder. Finally, Jim's arm was twisted behind his back. He dropped the gun and cried, get

[The Lone Ranger]

behind that rock before you kill him.

[Unknown Western Character]

Down.

[The Lone Ranger]

Get down. Sit on the ground.

[Narrator]

When Jim and the Lone Ranger were beside Toto, screened by the boulder and out of the outlaw's view, the shooting stopped.

[The Lone Ranger]

Thanks to you. Those outlaws know we're here?

[Jim Brandon]

I thought you and the Indian were members of the gang.

[The Lone Ranger]

No, Brandon, we're not outlaws.

[Jim Brandon]

How do you know my name?

[The Lone Ranger]

I knew your father. And you look just like him.

[Jim Brandon]

You knew my dad? Who are you?

[The Lone Ranger]

He called me the Lone Ranger.

[Jim Brandon]

The Lone Ranger? He told me about you. You gave him a silver bullet. I'm wearing it right now on my watch club. I'm sorry. I made a mistake. Pulled a gun on you.

[The Lone Ranger]

You made a bigger mistake, Jim, when you deserted your comrades in battle.

[Jim Brandon]

How do you know about that?

[The Lone Ranger]

Captain Kincaid told me after Tono and I helped route the Clayton gang.

[Jim Brandon]

I'm ashamed of that. But I couldn't help myself. When the shooting started, I could feel my heart pounding and my hands were shaking. But I knew I was afraid. I'm a coward, that's what I was. Scared. When the gunfire started.

[The Lone Ranger]

Jim, fear is a normal emotion. The bravest of men. No fear.

[Jim Brandon]

My dad was called a fearless fighter.

[The Lone Ranger]

Your father knew fear? Many times, but went ahead in spite of it.

[Jim Brandon]

I wish I had. Now it's too late. I can never go back to the army. That's why I set out to find the outlaws.

[The Lone Ranger]

Did you trail them?

[Jim Brandon]

Yes. I went back to the scene of the fight and started from there. I wanted to find the crooks and shoot it out. I expected to be killed, but at least I'd redeem myself. Then I saw you two. I thought I might be able to capture you, take you to the fort.

[The Lone Ranger]

Did you have any trouble following the trail?

[Jim Brandon]

No. It's clearly marked. Probably so other crooks can find the hideout.

[The Lone Ranger]

Toddler and I made the clear march, Jim. I told Captain Kincaid we'd make it easy for the soldiers to follow us to the hideout.

[Tonto]

You're not sure Kincaid come with soldiers?

[Jim Brandon]

Why? Why wouldn't he come?

[Tonto]

Him not here. A lone Ranger.

[Jim Brandon]

Instinct.

[Tonto]

Masked man, outlaw.

[The Lone Ranger]

He'll learn otherwise if he speaks to Colonel Telby as I suggested. The colonel knows me.

[Jim Brandon]

What if Kincaid doesn't speak to the colonel?

[The Lone Ranger]

We'll have little chance of living until morning. Why, Jim, if you look around the edge of this boulder tunnel's been doing you see there's only a narrow opening through which the Kush can leave their barricades.

[Jim Brandon]

I noticed that.

[The Lone Ranger]

We can keep them penned as long as we're able to see them.

[Tonto]

Know it. That's why they've not come out after dark.

[The Lone Ranger]

They'll come out and close in on us. There'll be a fight, but it can't last long.

[Jim Brandon]

Then Colonel Selby must be notified.

[The Lone Ranger]

Let's hope Kincaid speaks to him.

[Jim Brandon]

Oh, but he won't. Kincaid's the most stupid, stubborn, opinionated man in the fort.

[The Lone Ranger]

Well, if we have to fight without help, we'll do our best.

[Jim Brandon]

But you don't have to stay here. You can easily get away.

[The Lone Ranger]

Clayton. These outlaws know their hideout has been found. Jim. They'll move out the first opportunity. They'll probably commit many crimes before they're again trapped as they are now. I don't. I'll stick to our post and hope that help arrives in time.

[Jim Brandon]

Then I'll go to the fort. I'll let Colonel Selby know you're here.

[Tonto]

When you be seen, you'll be arrested. Then you face court martial.

[Jim Brandon]

That doesn't matter what happens to me. But if the Lone Ranger's killed. That can't happen. I'm going.

[The Lone Ranger]

The crook see you. He told you. You're around the bend. Return the fire tunnel.

[Tonto]

Outlaws.

[The Lone Ranger]

Stop shooting now and hold your fire. Jim's out of sight around the bend. He's safe. The outlaws can't get him now.

[Tonto]

Him got plenty nerve to go to port.

[The Lone Ranger]

Give him the chance tottle. He'll become A good soldier.

[Jim Brandon]

Foreign.

[Narrator]

Throughout the long afternoon, the Lone Ranger and Tato took turns peering past the side of the boulder to make sure the outlaws remained in the hideout. At sunset, one of the gang attempted to sneak on hands and knees through the opening in the barricade. The masked man fired. The bullet kicked up dust close to the outlaw.

[The Lone Ranger]

That drove him back.

[Tonto]

Him fool tried to sneak close to us now.

[The Lone Ranger]

I think he showed himself just to draw our fire. The cooks probably wanted to know if we're still here.

[Narrator]

After sunset. Darkness gathered quickly in the canyon. Hope the troopers would arrive diminished with each passing moment. The Lone Ranger and Tonto waited grimly determined to stay and fight as long as they were able to. The high straight walls at the dead end of the canyon were bathed faintly in the glow of the outlaws campfire. But the fire itself could not be seen because of the barricade. Suddenly, on the cliff high above the hideout a ball of fire appeared against the night sky. What's that sky?

[The Lone Ranger]

It's not in the sky. It's on the cliff.

[Tonto]

It's dropping down.

[The Lone Ranger]

There's another fireball.

[Tonto]

Meet these soldiers on cliff.

[The Lone Ranger]

They're dropping bundles of burning brush into the camp.

[Narrator]

Methylite.

[The Lone Ranger]

The soldiers drop the fire so they can see the outlaws. Those crooks aren't as smart as they thought. They didn't expect an attack from above,

[Tonto]

then shoot down now.

[Narrator]

Clayton and his men wasted no time returning the gunfire from above. They leaped to their horses and broke from behind the barricade.

[The Lone Ranger]

They're coming. Totto open fire.

[Narrator]

Lone Ranger and Tottle fired fast, doing their best to prevent the escape of the outlaws. Then troopers appeared behind the last man and did Indian.

[The Lone Ranger]

It's Kincaid.

[Narrator]

Hard riding men dashed around the canyon's bend and past the boulder where the Lone Ranger and Tottle crouched. Then on to meet the Clayton gang head on. It was a short fight with the outcome never in doubt. Captain Kincaid's men quickly overwhelmed the Clayton gang. Some of the outlaws were killed, many were wounded and those who remained in the saddle threw down their arms and raised their hands. While the prisoners were being tied, Captain Kincaid approached the Lone Ranger and Tonto who stood beside their horses.

[Captain Kincaid]

Well, sir, we meet again. Yes, Captain, once more I'm indebted to you.

[The Lone Ranger]

Well, that's hardly the case, Captain. I indebted to you. You and your men saved our lives.

[Captain Kincaid]

I stand by my statement. I owe you an explanation and an apology, but I. When Private Brandon returned to the fort voluntarily and told about you, I decided it might be wise to speak to Colonel Selby. As you'd requested. I did so.

[The Lone Ranger]

Oh, I'm glad.

[Captain Kincaid]

We then questioned Brandon about the terrain, learned of the cliffs and the dead end of the canyon, and planned a strategy, the use of fireballs to drive

[The Lone Ranger]

the enemy from COVID It was very well planned, sir.

[Captain Kincaid]

Thank you. It was my own idea. Now, as for the apology, forgive me for thinking you an outlaw.

[The Lone Ranger]

That's all right, Captain. Oh, I. I'd like to ask one question.

[Captain Kincaid]

Yes?

[The Lone Ranger]

What's to be done about Private Brandon?

[Captain Kincaid]

Well, desertion is a serious offense. However, a soldier who returns voluntarily may be considered merely absent without leave. That opens the way to punishment, punishing the offender with nothing more than a fine reprimand.

[The Lone Ranger]

Good. Then Brennan will have another chance to become a soldier like his father.

[Captain Kincaid]

You may be sure of it. Now, will you shake hands?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, indeed.

[Captain Kincaid]

Thank you. I trust we'll meet again. Until then, sir, good luck.

[The Lone Ranger]

Thanks and adios, Captain.

[Captain Kincaid]

Adios.

[Andrew Rines]

Easy.

[The Lone Ranger]

Steady, big shot.

[Tonto]

Easy.

[The Lone Ranger]

Let's go, Taro.

[Narrator]

Let's count, Captain.

[Captain Kincaid]

Ready for the return with the prisoners, Lieutenant? I have just shaken hands with a lone range.

[Bretzky]

Ugh. I have had no luck lately.

[Bluff]

Wait.

[Lady Luck]

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[Bretzky]

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[Spin Quest Announcer]

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[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger, a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated is produced by Trendle Campbell Muir Incorporated. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beamer, your announcer Fred Foy. Listen to the Lone Ranger. Brought to you by special recording Mondays, Thursday through Fridays at this same time.

[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.

[Lady Luck]

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[Spin Quest Announcer]

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