The Disappearing Buffalo Herd | Ranger Bill (04-14-54)

Summary

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Podcast Summary:

Old Time Radio Westerns
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Episode: The Disappearing Buffalo Herd | Ranger Bill (04-14-54)
Release Date: December 13, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of Old Time Radio Westerns revives a classic Ranger Bill drama, "The Disappearing Buffalo Herd." The story follows Ranger Bill and his team as they face a perplexing challenge: the mysterious disappearance of an entire buffalo herd just days before an important VIP visit, including the Governor, a US Senator, and the Secretary of the Interior. The episode blends frontier camaraderie, humor, and suspense, ultimately celebrating keen observation and teamwork.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Developments

Introduction of the Mystery (00:43–01:54)

• Colonel Anders sets up the premise: Even large things can vanish right under your nose, and today's adventure revolves around just such a disappearance.
• Main Characters: Bill Jefferson (Ranger Bill), Henry, Colonel Anders, Stumpy, and Gray Wolf.

Arrival of Colonel Anders and Setting the Stakes (02:02–03:23)

• Colonel Anders arrives by train for an inspection.
• The reason for the inspection: "The governor of our state, one of our senators in Washington and the secretary of the Department of the Interior" are scheduled to visit. (03:23)

Discovery of the Missing Herd (04:28–05:11)

• Stumpy and Gray Wolf discover the buffalo herd missing from the feeding barns.
  • Stumpy: "Great day in the morning. You're right, Gray Wolf. No... Ain't that peculiar?" (04:59)
  • Gray Wolf: "They gotta be here. But they're not." (04:56)

The News Breaks to Bill and the Team (06:22–09:38)

• Colonel Anders hopes to impress the visiting dignitaries with the largest buffalo herd in the country.
• Stumpy confesses: "The buffalo herd's plum disappeared." (09:31)

Rising Pressure from VIP Expectations (13:01–13:54)

• The Governor boasts about the herd to the Secretary of the Interior.
• Stakes are high: "We've got the largest herd in the world there at Knotty Pine." (13:25)

The Search & The Mystery Deepens (14:39–17:12)

• Bill and the team search for the herd.
• Trails end at the Shady River with no sign across or beyond.
• Two buffalo mysteriously return, adding to the confusion.
  • Stumpy: "It can't be. It's a barrage. And their critters ain't real." (11:55)

The Ultimatum (17:55–21:59)

• The missing herd report is delivered to Colonel Anders.
• Colonel Anders, under pressure from the Governor, gives Bill "one more day" to find the herd.
  • Colonel Anders: "You can say that again. Well, I'll give you one more day, Bill, to find that herd." (21:31)
• Anxieties about potential embarrassment and even a Senate investigation.

Dead Ends and Desperation (22:17–23:46)

• Bill and the rangers are demoralized; Stumpy and Gray Wolf lament potential job loss.
• Bill proposes, seemingly out of nowhere, to "take a swim in the Shady River." (23:02)
  • Team reacts with disbelief: "Bill just sick in head." (23:15, Gray Wolf)
  • Henry: "Let me feel your forehead, Billy. You must be running a fever." (23:18)

Solution Unveiled—Discovery of the Ledge (24:01–26:15)

• Bill discovers a submerged rock ledge in the river, invisible due to shadows, shallow enough for the buffalo to cross without leaving a trail on the opposite bank.
  • Stumpy: "Great jumping jackrabbits. You know what Bill found, Sonny?" (25:00)
  • Henry: "Man alive. You're right, Stumpy. He's walked all the way across the river and in only about a foot of water." (25:09)

The Hidden Arroyo and the Herd Recovered (26:14–27:00)

• The team follows the ledge and discovers an arroyo (gorge) on the far side, well concealed, where the buffalo are safely congregated.
  • Bill: "That's where buffalo are inland. That arroyo is large enough to hold the entire herd and a lot more." (26:30)
  • Stumpy: "Well, there they are, boys, our missing buffalo herd. If you count noses, you'll find 48 of them, all present and accounted for." (26:47)

Resolution and Reflections (27:59–29:09)

• VIPs are delighted, Colonel Anders is relieved.
• Light-hearted debrief as Stumpy admits, "We was plum petrified." (28:56)
• All is well, thanks to Bill's determination and unorthodox thinking.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "That there herd of nickel faces has just plumb up and vanished into thin air."
  – Stumpy (06:50)

• "Well, I guess I'll have to admit this is a real puzzler, fellas."
  – Bill Jefferson (14:39)

• "If you had the answer to that question, sir, I'd gladly pay a year's wages for it."
  – Bill Jefferson to Colonel Anders about the missing herd (21:31)

• "I'm going to take a swim in the Shady River."
  – Bill Jefferson (23:02)

• "He's walking on a ledger rock across the of the river."
  – Stumpy, as Bill demonstrates the solution (25:06)

• "We was plum petrified."
  – Stumpy (28:56)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:19] – Episode premise set up: "Have you ever heard of big things disappearing right out from under your nose?"
• [03:23] – VIP visitors revealed.
• [04:28–05:11] – Stumpy and Gray Wolf discover the missing herd.
• [09:31] – Stumpy delivers shocking news: "The buffalo herd's plum disappeared."
• [13:01] – Governor's pride in the herd established.
• [14:39] – Search yields nothing, perplexity grows.
• [21:31] – The one-day ultimatum to find the buffalo.
• [23:02] – Bill announces he'll swim the river.
• [25:06] – Discovery of the ledge and the real explanation.
• [26:14] – Herd found in a hidden arroyo.
• [28:56] – Moment of comic relief and closure: "We was plum petrified."

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Tone & Style Notes

The episode features classic Western radio drama flair: light banter, camaraderie, gentle humor, and a wholesome spirit of adventure. Despite the tension, the tone remains approachable and optimistic, with a strong emphasis on teamwork, respect for nature, and good-natured ribbing among friends. Stumpy’s cowboy wisdom and colorful expressions provide plenty of laughs, balanced by Colonel Anders’ calm authority and Bill’s quiet ingenuity.

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For New Listeners

Even if you've never tuned in before, this episode is an excellent introduction to the charm of vintage radio westerns, offering suspense, clever problem-solving, and a feel-good resolution. The restoration work lets you experience the drama as if it was new, with every hoofbeat and character quip clear as a bell. Schtick, suspense, and frontier justice make for a memorable ride into the heart of the Old West.

Transcript

[Stumpy]

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.

[Stumpy]

Ranger Bill, warrior of the woodland.

[Colonel Anders]

Ranger Bill, warrior of the woodland.

[Bill Jefferson]

Struggling against extreme odds.

[Colonel Anders]

Traveling dangerous trails, Fighting the many enemies of nature. This is the job of the guardian of the forest. Ranger Bill. Pouring rain, freezing cold, blistering heat, snow, floods, bears, rattlesnakes, mountain lions. Yes. All this in exchange for the satisfaction.

[Bill Jefferson]

And pride of a job.

[Colonel Anders]

Well, Say, boys and girls, have you ever heard of big things disappearing right out from under your nose? Oh, like a building or a car or a mountain. Right. Now you're saying. Don't be foolish. You can't lose anything as big as that. Well, you can. And in today's adventure with Bill and his Rangers, we're going to find out what it is and how it all happened. Right now, Bill and Henry are waiting for Colonel Anders to arrive on the noon train.

[Henry]

Here comes the Milkland special.

[Bill Jefferson]

Bill.

[Henry]

What? A train for Colonel Anders to take to Knotty Pine. Stops at every calf crossing and hitching post along the way.

[Bill Jefferson]

You're right, pal. I wouldn't care to ride it. But the colonel has a reason.

[Henry]

What reason would anyone have to ride that slow boat to China unless they just wanted to look at the scenery?

[Bill Jefferson]

Well, that's what he's doing, huh?

[Henry]

You mean the colonel's out looking at the scenery?

[Bill Jefferson]

Yeah.

[Henry]

Well, why, he's been looking at this kind of country most of his life, hasn't he?

[Bill Jefferson]

Ask me later. Henry, here comes the colonel now. Let's give him a hand with his bag.

[Henry]

Oh, sure, Bill.

[Colonel Anders]

Hello there, Bill. Henry.

[Bill Jefferson]

Hello, Colonel Anders. How are you, sir? Fine, and you? The same, thank you.

[Henry]

Hiya, Colonel. Here, let me take your bag.

[Bill Jefferson]

Thank you, Henry.

[Colonel Anders]

Well, Bill, are you all set?

[Bill Jefferson]

Yes, we are, sir.

[Henry]

All set. Why? Something going on around here I don't know anything about?

[Bill Jefferson]

That's right, pal. I didn't get a chance to tell you before. The colonel's here to make a very thorough inspection of our operations.

[Henry]

Something special?

[Colonel Anders]

Why, yes, Henry. Some very important people are going to pay you a visit.

[Henry]

Oh, so that's why you took the milk train, huh, Colonel, sort of looking things over as you went along?

[Colonel Anders]

That's right. Yes.

[Henry]

Henry, may I ask who the very important people are?

[Colonel Anders]

Why, yes. The governor of our state. One of Our senators in Washington and the secretary of the Department of Interior.

[Stumpy]

Here comes the red kid. Don't shoot her face.

[Gray Wolf]

Bye, Stumpy. Shut off alarm.

[Stumpy]

Why didn't you tell me? It was just this old burglar alarm, Gray Wolf. Sound to me like the 400 was going by.

[Gray Wolf]

You must have plenty of good sleep. You heap witty this morning, huh?

[Stumpy]

You talk about morning. Take a peek. See what kind of a day it is.

[Gray Wolf]

Also see if everything all right with buffalo herd.

[Stumpy]

Well, they'll be all right. Last night, the whole shooting matchup was close to the feeding barns. Sure is a beautiful day. Breathe in that morning air, would you?

[Gray Wolf]

Say, where's hurt, Stumpy? They nowhere in sight.

[Stumpy]

What'd you say, young feller?

[Gray Wolf]

I said the buffalo not here.

[Stumpy]

But they gotta be here.

[Gray Wolf]

They gotta be here. But they're not.

[Stumpy]

Great day in the morning. You're right, Gray Wolf. No. Ain't that peculiar? They always been around the feeding barns. That is, till the grass gets good out on the range.

[Gray Wolf]

Grass not good on rains yet. They should be here.

[Stumpy]

It's mighty odd looking to me, Gray Wolf. I think we'd better saddle up and find that herd.

[Bill Jefferson]

Close tomoy. Oh, boy.

[Gray Wolf]

Oh, boy.

[Bill Jefferson]

Well, you all set for the inspection tour, Colonel?

[Colonel Anders]

Yes, Bill. There's a fine mount you've given me. Easy there, Dusty. You ready, Henry?

[Henry]

Sure. Best quiet down, girl. Quiet down now.

[Bill Jefferson]

Well, where do you want to go first, Colonel Anders?

[Colonel Anders]

I'd like to take a look at the herd first, Bill. That's what the governor seems most interested in. You know, largest herd in the country and all that.

[Bill Jefferson]

All right, Colonel. Get up there, Storm.

[Henry]

Get up, s. Come on.

[Stumpy]

Grey Wolf, this whole thing is crazy. Let's pull up a while and talk this situation over.

[Gray Wolf]

Oh, that's good idea.

[Stumpy]

Well, great Wolf, I don't savvy these at all. We've been all over the range, ain't seen nary a critter.

[Gray Wolf]

A whole herd missing. That impossible.

[Stumpy]

The impossible is right. But I seen it with my own eyes.

[Gray Wolf]

And there are only one conclusion.

[Stumpy]

Yep, only one. That there herd of nickel faces has just plumb up and vanished into thin air.

[Gray Wolf]

Stumpy, I not worried so much about what Bill say as what Colonel Anders say when he come.

[Stumpy]

Colonel Anders? Great horn toads. I clean forgot about him being here for inspection.

[Gray Wolf]

Well, it been nice working for Forestry Service, Gray Wolf.

[Stumpy]

Well, we can face the music better on a full stomach, Gray Wolf. So, what do you say we wrassle up some grub for breakfast?

[Henry]

And there's the feedback in the cabin up ahead.

[Colonel Anders]

Looks very familiar, fellows. Stumpy's told many a good yarn in that cabin. Say, Bill, where's the herd? They're usually around the barns this early in spring, aren't they?

[Bill Jefferson]

Huh? I don't know where they are, Colonel. Oh, perhaps the fellows drove them to the other end of the range just to give them exercise.

[Henry]

Hey, Bill, there's Stumpy and Gray Wolf in front of the cabin now. Good.

[Colonel Anders]

Be nice to see them again.

[Henry]

Maybe the fellows will have the coffee pot on, Colonel, and we can have a nice friendly chat over a cup of coffee.

[Colonel Anders]

Sounds good to me. Maybe Stuffy's got a story for us, huh? It's really nice to be out here at the old cabin again, fellas. Just like old times.

[Stumpy]

Mighty nice to have you with us again, Colonel. Sorry I don't have the fixings for some flapjacks. Gray Wolf kind of at me out.

[Henry]

Of house and home and you're still living Grey Wolf.

[Stumpy]

Now see here, son.

[Henry]

I mean, because you make them so good, Stumpy.

[Bill Jefferson]

Oh, no.

[Colonel Anders]

I can see things haven't changed much. Well, Stumpy, how about spinning one of your famous yarns just for old times sake, huh?

[Stumpy]

Huh?

[Bill Jefferson]

Well, well.

[Stumpy]

Sure, Colonel. Only the one I'm going to tell. I can hardly believe myself.

[Henry]

This one must be good.

[Colonel Anders]

What do you mean, Stubby?

[Stumpy]

Well, it's this way, Colonel Anders. You see, last night. I mean this morning. No, it was last night. Something happened, uh.

[Henry]

Oh, now we'll have it quiet, Henry.

[Colonel Anders]

Something happened. What was it?

[Stumpy]

The buffalo herd's plum disappeared.

[Colonel Anders]

The buffalo herd's disappeared?

[Bill Jefferson]

Yes, sir.

[Stumpy]

Old kitten caboodle, right in the thin air.

[Bill Jefferson]

But that's impossible, Stumpy.

[Gray Wolf]

No, Bill, not impossible.

[Colonel Anders]

It's true.

[Gray Wolf]

We get on horses, ride, range from one end to other. Buffalo not anywhere.

[Henry]

But how can a whole herd of buffalo just vanish?

[Gray Wolf]

That's plenty good question, Henry. I wish I could answer it.

[Colonel Anders]

Well, you fellows will have to find an answer soon.

[Stumpy]

Huh? What's that?

[Gray Wolf]

What you mean, Colonel?

[Colonel Anders]

I mean there's some very important people who are interested in these buffalo. We've got to produce them when they visit here. Bill, you have a report ready on your progress by noon, will you? I'll go back to Knotty Pond and wait at headquarters. There's some other matters I have to attend to there.

[Bill Jefferson]

All right, Colonel. Come on, boys. We've got a job to do. Find that herd.

[Henry]

The Colonel took it rather calmly, didn't he, Bill? You think he would have blown his top when Stumpy gave him the news.

[Bill Jefferson]

Colonel Anders is a Christian Gentleman pal tries to understand people and their problems. However, I wouldn't want to stretch his patience and understanding too far. It'll limit, you know.

[Gray Wolf]

Oh, not right, Bill. Me hope him not reach limit before we find buffalo.

[Stumpy]

You and me likewise, Grey Wolf. What do you think we should do to find these missing critters, Bill?

[Bill Jefferson]

Well, first thing after we saddle up, let's follow the herd's trail to where it ends.

[Gray Wolf]

That easy, Bill? It end at Shady River. After that, poof, nothing.

[Henry]

Hi, you, Beth. Are you ready for some exercise?

[Bill Jefferson]

Hold it, fellas.

[Henry]

What's the matter, Bill? You see something?

[Bill Jefferson]

Yes, Henry. Stumpy. Gray wolf. I thought you said all the buffalo are missing.

[Gray Wolf]

That right, Bill? Whole herd gone?

[Stumpy]

Yep. They all up and get clean as a whistle.

[Bill Jefferson]

Well, what do you call those two animals walking around in the feedlot on the other side of this corral?

[Henry]

Man alive. There's two buffalo in the feedlot.

[Stumpy]

It can't be. It can't be. It's a barrage. And their critters ain't real.

[Gray Wolf]

If I not see with my own eyes. I say you're right, Stumpy. But those real live buffalo all right.

[Stumpy]

But where'd it come from? There wasn't area critter here before. And where's the rest of the herd? How'd these two happen to get away from the main group?

[Bill Jefferson]

Well, that's the question. How did they?

[Stumpy]

This is crazy, I tell ya. Or something's crazy. Maybe it's me, but there wasn't any buffalo here a while ago. There's something mighty peculiar going on around here.

[Bill Jefferson]

Hey, Stompy, Take it easy now, old timer. Slow down or you'll burst a blood vessel.

[Stumpy]

But how do you explain it?

[Bill Jefferson]

Well, I can't.

[Henry]

Looks like this is developing into a real mystery.

[Bill Jefferson]

Yes, pal, and it's up to us to solve it or have our heads chopped off. Now let's saddle up, boys and get. Well.

[Colonel Anders]

Mr. Secretary, Senator Rand. It's a genuine pleasure to have you two gentlemen here at my home. Thank you, Governor, for your hospitality. I've been impressed by the beauty of your home and your state as well. I agree, Mr. Secretary. Everything in this state is well maintained and a real pleasure to see. Now, Governor, how about that buffalo herd? You brag so much about it that the secretary says he's just got to see those buffaloes. Don't worry, Mr. Secretary. You'll see the herd all right. We'll take a motor trip across the state, be in Knotty Pine Saturday morning. That's fine, Governor. I'm certainly looking Forward to it. You know, Mr. Secretary, we've got the largest herd in the world there at Knotty Pine. The rangers have raised some beautiful animals just as majestic as they ever were back in the old western days. You'd better not describe them any further to me or I'll want to see them first thing in the morning. Well, I've arranged all the details with Colonel Anders and Arranger Bill Jefferson. Mr. Secretary. Oh, yes, Bill's been on several special assignments for me. He and the Colonel are very competent men. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing both of them and those wonderful buffaloes.

[Bill Jefferson]

Well, I guess I'll have to admit this is a real puzzler, fellas.

[Henry]

And how. Say, maybe we've got flying buffalo.

[Stumpy]

We got some kind of special buffalo. Just what you'd call them. I don't know. You can see yourself. It's no different what Gray Wolf and I found. The trail leads to the river and that's the end of it.

[Gray Wolf]

What make it worse is those two buffalo who showed up at feed barns. Not plenty strange to figure.

[Bill Jefferson]

Yeah, I don't see any trail signs across on the other riverbank. Be easy to spot where they came out of the river if they swam across.

[Stumpy]

Well, what do you geniuses propose we do? Now?

[Bill Jefferson]

There's only one thing to do, fellas.

[Henry]

Huh, what's that, Bill? I thought we'd looked the place over thoroughly already.

[Bill Jefferson]

We have, pal. Now let's split up and search the riverbank carefully. Maybe we'll find something that way.

[Henry]

Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.

[Bill Jefferson]

Grey Wolf and I will go downstream and Stumpy, you and Henry go upstream. We'll meet back here in two hours.

[Stumpy]

That'll be a bandy eyed pole. Gad, we've come all the way up the headwaters of the Shady river and area sign of them disappearing. Critters, Henry.

[Henry]

Yeah, it's pretty discouraging, isn't it, Stumpy?

[Stumpy]

Worse than that, Sonny Plum. Exasperating whoever heard a flying buffalo? Maybe they turned into fish and swum away when they hit the river.

[Henry]

Oh, Stumpy, now don't be ridiculous.

[Stumpy]

Ridiculous, huh? Maybe you can tell me where they went to.

[Henry]

Well, they must have gone up in the air. Maybe an airplane or into the river or we'd have picked up their trail by now.

[Stumpy]

Yep, that's what I mean. Now let's go back and meet Bill and Gray Wolf, see how they made out.

[Henry]

I don't think they found any more than we did.

[Stumpy]

How do you know? Maybe they're dragging the whole herd back on the end Of a rope.

[Bill Jefferson]

Well, fellas, I give up. This one has me buffaloed.

[Henry]

You mean we'll have buffalo? Itis if we don't find them.

[Stumpy]

Well, we might as well go back and face the music. The Colonel's waiting for a report.

[Gray Wolf]

And what a report this be.

[Bill Jefferson]

Might just as well get it over with, I guess. Getting dark now anyhow. You fellas stay here and keep an eye on things. I'll make my report port alone.

[Henry]

Can I go along with you, Bill?

[Bill Jefferson]

No, Henry. You stay with Stomby and Dray Wolf. I'll be back out in the morning about center. Okay.

[Stumpy]

Now, your report will be some encouraging, Bill.

[Bill Jefferson]

What do you mean, old timer? The herd's still missing, isn't it?

[Stumpy]

Not all of them, Bill. Remember, two of them came back.

[Colonel Anders]

So that's your report, eh, Bill?

[Bill Jefferson]

Yes, sir, that's my report, Colonel. I'm rather ashamed, sir, but that's the truth of it.

[Colonel Anders]

And this is the best you can do?

[Bill Jefferson]

I. Well, this is only a momentary failure, Colonel Anderson. There has to be a logical answer as to where the buffalo went. Right now the answer is eluding us.

[Colonel Anders]

You can say that again. Well, I'll give you one more day, Bill, to find that herd.

[Bill Jefferson]

Is that an ultimatum, sir?

[Colonel Anders]

Bill, don't you understand? We're being visited Saturday morning by three very important people.

[Bill Jefferson]

Colonel, can't you stall them off for a while?

[Colonel Anders]

I should stall off the secretary of the Interior and the Governor and the senator of our state.

[Bill Jefferson]

Oh, I guess not. You couldn't stall them off any more than you could a tornado. Why are they coming here, if I may ask?

[Colonel Anders]

They're coming here to see the herd. That's the main purpose of their visit, Bill. In a way, the honor of the forestry service is at stake. Imagine me telling the Governor that a whole herd of his buffalo disappeared. Yeah.

[Bill Jefferson]

Does make a pretty embarrassing situation, doesn't it? I'll get it from him. Ranger headquarters, Bill Jefferson speaking.

[Colonel Anders]

This is Governor Jones. I understand Colonel Anders is at your office now, Bill, May I speak to him, please?

[Bill Jefferson]

You certainly can, Governor. The governor wants to talk to you, sir.

[Colonel Anders]

Thanks, Bill.

[Bill Jefferson]

Hello?

[Colonel Anders]

Colonel Anders speaking. Colonel, this is the Governor. I'm just making a last minute check to be sure everything's set for our visit. Oh, why, yes, Governor, we're expecting you. You and the senator and the secretary first thing Saturday morning. Fin.

[Stumpy]

Fine.

[Colonel Anders]

Now, you'll have the buffalo herd in closely so the secretary can take a.

[Stumpy]

Good look at them.

[Colonel Anders]

Oh, yes, sir. They'll. They'll be right around the feed barn, so you gentlemen can take a look at them. Excellent. Colonel, you and Bill have handled this matter in an extremely competent way. I just want to be sure our guests aren't disappointed. We'll see you bright and early Saturday morning then. Goodbye. Goodbye.

[Bill Jefferson]

Excuse me, Colonel, but haven't you stuck your neck way out, sir? How can you be sure we'll have the herd back here by Saturday morning?

[Colonel Anders]

Well, Bill, I do have my neck stuck out pretty far, but I'm counting on you to save the day.

[Bill Jefferson]

What's that, sir?

[Colonel Anders]

Yes, Bill, you've never failed me yet. And I can't believe you're going to start now.

[Bill Jefferson]

But, sir, wouldn't it have been better to delay their visit another week immediately?

[Colonel Anders]

Impossible. Two of those VIPs have come here all the way from Washington. I don't think they'd appreciate making their trip for nothing.

[Bill Jefferson]

Yeah, that's right, sir. But won't they be more angry if they come here and we don't have the buffalo? Wouldn't it be better to openly admit the whole situation?

[Colonel Anders]

And how would you explain to the governor and the other gentlemen that 50 head of Buffalo have dropped right off the edge of the world? Should I tell them they all fell in the river and drowned? Oh, Belle, this is a situation for which there's no explanation. If somebody rustled the buffalo, that'd be something else again. But Whoever heard of 48 Buffalo weighing on the average 1,000 pounds per head just vanishing into thin air? Answer be that, will you?

[Bill Jefferson]

If you had the answer to that question, sir, I'd gladly pay a year's wages for it. That this is a nasty situation. We did tell the governor. He'd be on the spot, too. And so would the secretary and the senator if the word ever got back to Washington.

[Colonel Anders]

Yes, there might even be a Senate investigation. No, there's only one answer, Bill. And you know what that is.

[Bill Jefferson]

Yes, sir. You've got to find that herd by Saturday morning.

[Henry]

More coffee, Bill?

[Bill Jefferson]

Please, Henry. Sure hits the spot after the fast ride out here this morning.

[Henry]

Stumpy. Gray Wolf, how about another cup of mud?

[Stumpy]

No, thanks, Henry.

[Bill Jefferson]

I've had enough.

[Gray Wolf]

We have enough for now, Henry.

[Bill Jefferson]

What's the matter, fellas? This is like having breakfast before a funeral.

[Gray Wolf]

Maybe not as funny as it sounds, Bill. Maybe this our funeral. As for strangers.

[Stumpy]

That's right, Gray Wolf. I'm worried, just plumb worried here. We got all the bigwigs coming and there ain't no buffalo herd to see.

[Henry]

Yeah, and if we don't have that herd here by Saturday morning, we'll all.

[Colonel Anders]

Be in the soup but good.

[Stumpy]

What are we gonna do, Bill?

[Bill Jefferson]

I don't know about you fellas, but I'm going to take a swim in the Shady River.

[Stumpy]

Huh. I guess I'll have to wash my ears out again. I ain't hearing so good today.

[Gray Wolf]

You hear right, Stumpy. Bill just sick in head.

[Henry]

Let me feel your forehead, Billy. You must be running a fever.

[Stumpy]

So, young fella, you're going swimming? Don't you know you're supposed to be looking for the missing buffalo? Not swimming in the Shady River? Personally, I think your roof is leaking just a bit.

[Henry]

Bill, are you serious about going swimming?

[Bill Jefferson]

Why, yes. Want to come along, fellas?

[Henry]

Yeah. Just for curiosity. I don't believe you're going to do it.

[Bill Jefferson]

Let's go then.

[Henry]

I guess he means it, fellas.

[Stumpy]

Too bad such a nice young fella like Bill had to crack up early in life.

[Gray Wolf]

That right, Stumpy? I think he really flip lid.

[Bill Jefferson]

After I have a good swim, fellas, we'll look again for the missing buffalo. Okay.

[Henry]

After you have a good swim, Bill, we're gonna take you to town where you can have a nice rest. They've got a swimming pool there.

[Stumpy]

I don't know. Maybe we're the ones that are bomby and the rest of the world's all right. But I don't get it. It's bad enough with the buffalo missing, but now Bill's taking a swim in water so cold it would freeze an iceberg.

[Henry]

He's out in the middle of the river now.

[Colonel Anders]

Look at him.

[Henry]

He must be looking for something. What's he doing anyhow?

[Gray Wolf]

That plenty good question, Henry.

[Colonel Anders]

Oh.

[Henry]

Hey, now what? He must have bumped into something in the water.

[Gray Wolf]

Now me going crazy too. Look at Bill standing in foot of.

[Colonel Anders]

Water out in middle of river.

[Stumpy]

Great jumping jackrabbits. You know what Bill found, Sonny?

[Henry]

No, Stumpy. What?

[Stumpy]

He's walking on a ledger rock across the of the river.

[Henry]

Man alive. You're right, Stumpy. He's walked all the way across the river and in only about a foot of water.

[Gray Wolf]

Maybe this big news we wait for.

[Stumpy]

Hey, fellas. I found the answer to the disappearing buffalo.

[Bill Jefferson]

Come on, storm. Walk along, boy. There's nothing to be afraid of.

[Henry]

You can't see he's stepping in. That scares him some.

[Bill Jefferson]

Yeah, the ledge is covered with water all the way up to the headwaters of the river.

[Henry]

Easy, Bess. Easy, girl. A lot of storm. Now that's a girl.

[Stumpy]

Bill.

[Bill Jefferson]

Yes, Henry?

[Henry]

You think this ledge goes all along this side of the river?

[Bill Jefferson]

Sure does.

[Stumpy]

Well, how come we didn't see it before?

[Bill Jefferson]

Well, the shadows from the shady mountains fell across the river in such a.

[Colonel Anders]

Way that you wouldn't see the ledge.

[Stumpy]

I see. Now, push your horses along, fellas.

[Henry]

We haven't got too much time before.

[Colonel Anders]

The sun goes down.

[Stumpy]

Hey, look ahead there, fellas. Listen to what I see.

[Colonel Anders]

Oh, yes.

[Gray Wolf]

They're opening inside o cannon wall. It must be arroyo.

[Henry]

It has to be. Sure, the waters carved out a small chasm in the soft drop of the canyon wall. We wouldn't have seen that from the other side of the river if we looked all year.

[Bill Jefferson]

That's where buffalo are inland. That arroyo is large enough to hold the entire herd and a lot more.

[Colonel Anders]

Look, there are buffalo sign now. Trail planers nose on face.

[Bill Jefferson]

Let's hold up, fellas.

[Henry]

Oh, best boy there, girl.

[Stumpy]

Whoa.

[Bill Jefferson]

Time. Oh, boy. Well, there they are, boys, our missing buffalo herd. If you count noses, you'll find 48 of them, all present and accounted for.

[Henry]

Oh, this is wonderful, Bill. Hey, how did you figure this one out?

[Bill Jefferson]

Well, after our careful search, all that.

[Colonel Anders]

Was left was the river.

[Bill Jefferson]

Oh, I figured the river held a secret. There's only one way to find out. That was to take a swim. As soon as I bumped into the ledge, I knew what the answer was.

[Gray Wolf]

That's plenty good think on your part, Bill.

[Stumpy]

I have to apologize, young brother. Next time he goes swimming at the wrong time, I'm going with you. Maybe I can get smart too.

[Bill Jefferson]

Well, there's no use taking the herd back down to the range now. It's too late. Remove them at the crack of dawn so they're back in time for the victim. IPs to see. VIP sure seem pleased with the herd, Colonel Anders.

[Colonel Anders]

Oh, they're very pleased, Bill. I surely didn't know whether to have a heart attack or not. This morning when I started out for here. What a relief when I saw the herd as we pulled up in the car. Tell me how you did it, Bill.

[Bill Jefferson]

Oh, I just went for a swim, Colonel, and, well, there they were.

[Henry]

What?

[Colonel Anders]

Surely you must be fooling.

[Stumpy]

It's all right, Colonel. Don't worry. We thought he was off his trolley too, but he sure showed us a thing or two.

[Colonel Anders]

Well, you'll have to tell me all about it as soon as our guest leave. I was plenty scared you mightn't be able to produce that herd.

[Stumpy]

You were scared? How do you think me and Greywolf felt?

[Colonel Anders]

Well, I don't know, Stumpy. How did you feel?

[Stumpy]

Why, we was.

[Bill Jefferson]

Yes?

[Stumpy]

Well, we was.

[Henry]

Well, let's have it, Stumpy.

[Stumpy]

We was plum petrified.

[Colonel Anders]

Well, Stumpy, all's well that ends well, they say. And it was a pretty narrow squeak at that. What if Bill hadn't taken a swim in the shady river? The colonel's face sure would have been red. And how about the governor's face? Well, we'll see you next week for more adventure with Ranger Bill. Sam.

[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 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 Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.

[Stumpy]

Sam.