The Hermit | Ranger Bill (12-21-55)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Old Time Radio Westerns – "The Hermit" | Ranger Bill (12-21-55)

Date: May 16, 2026
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Story Air Date: December 21, 1955

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Episode Overview

This episode, “The Hermit,” features Ranger Bill and his team as they encounter a mysterious, reclusive prospector in the forest who turns out to be a skilled but broken former surgeon. Through a sequence blending suspense, action, and themes of redemption and purpose, the rangers unravel the hermit’s tragic past and urge him to confront a life-or-death challenge, ultimately guiding him back to his calling.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Breakdown

1. Rangers’ Inspection and the Mysterious Line Shack

[03:24–05:45]

• Ranger Bill and Ranger Tom are finishing up a winter inspection when they notice smoke from an apparently abandoned line shack.
• A tense encounter follows:
  • Dr. Warburton (Hermit): “The man's got a right to live alone and in peace in his own house. Now get out of here before I start throwing some lead.” (05:12)
• The rangers leave, wary and unsettled.

2. Revealing the Hermit’s Identity

[06:03–12:23]

• Back at the ranger station, Ralph and Gray Wolf join Bill and Tom; discussion turns to the hermit.
• Ralph reveals the old prospector is actually Dr. William T. Warburton, a highly accomplished doctor who left medicine after a botched operation on his best friend.
  • Ralph: “Name is Dr. William T. Warburton.” (07:35)
• The story is told in flashback, highlighting Dr. Warburton’s guilt after his friend’s death on the operating table, despite it being a case of heart failure, not malpractice.
• Efforts by Dr. Warburton’s colleagues to bring him back fail as he retreats further into isolation and alcoholism, overwhelmed by guilt.
  • Dr. Warburton: “A human life isn’t like a machine. Make an error on a machine, you buy a new part and fix it… I can’t do that for Jim. He’s gone and I’m through for good.” (11:43)

3. Another Visit and the Hermit’s Resistance

[15:32–17:51]

• Bill attempts a direct, friendly approach, but Dr. Warburton’s paranoia and shame force him to remain isolated and hostile, despite obvious loneliness.
  • Dr. Warburton: “You’ll help me by leaving me alone. You understand? Leave me alone.” (17:51)

4. Crisis: Injured Climber on Baldy Mountain

[18:41–21:20]

• Stumpy brings urgent news: a climber is stranded and seriously injured on Baldy Mountain.
  • Stumpy: “There’s a mountain climber laying on a ledge way up… got a busted head.” (18:44)
• Bill, Gray Wolf, and Stumpy launch a daring rescue and bring down the injured man.
• Doctors at the scene conclude only someone skilled in the rare “Warburton technique” can save the patient, but Dr. Warburton himself is the only one in the area capable of it.
  • Ralph: “There are only two men in the country who are proficient enough in the Warburton technique. And they’re way across the ocean now on vacation.” (21:34)

5. Confronting the Hermit and Forcing the Issue

[23:04–26:00]

• Bill confronts Dr. Warburton, urging him to act and invoking the ethical oath he once swore.
  • Ranger Bill: “Dr. William Warburton, with all that ability at your command. You’re a murderer. And you will stand charged as such before God and before your fellow man if you don’t do what you can.” (24:28)
• Dr. Warburton, wracked with self-doubt, finally agrees to examine the patient, but initially refuses to operate.

6. Redemption through Action: Life-Saving Surgery

[27:29–32:15]

• At Bill’s urging and with full support from the rangers, Dr. Warburton performs the critical surgery with trembling but expert hands.
• He struggles with internal fear but rises to the occasion.
  • Dr. Warburton: “…Oh, God, help me to remember.” (28:23)
• The climber survives, and Dr. Warburton experiences laughter and relief for the first time since his self-imposed exile.
  • Dr. Warburton: “I just happen to think that’s the first time I’ve laughed since I ran away from the world.” (32:57)

7. Resolution: Returning to Purpose

[33:14–34:44]

• Dr. Warburton decides to return East and resume his medical career, finally finding peace with his past mistake.
  • Dr. Warburton: “I’ve come to say goodbye… I’m taking a plane east within the hour and returning to my first love and very rightful place in life.” (33:32)
• The rangers marvel at the transformation and the message that one cannot run from their true self or from the responsibilities embedded in their calling.
  • Ranger Bill: “You’ve made me understand that I can’t run away from myself. And what’s more important, that I can’t run away from God.” (33:44)

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Notable Quotes

• Dr. Warburton: “The man's got a right to live alone and in peace in his own house. Now get out of here before I start throwing some lead.” (05:12)
• Ralph: “Name is Dr. William T. Warburton.” (07:35)
• Dr. Warburton: “A human life isn’t like a machine. Make an error on a machine, you buy a new part and fix it… I can’t do that for Jim. He’s gone and I’m through for good.” (11:43)
• Ranger Bill: “Dr. William Warburton… You’re a murderer. And you will stand charged as such before God and before your fellow man if you don’t do what you can.” (24:28)
• Dr. Warburton: “Oh, God, help me to remember.” (28:23)
• Dr. Warburton: “That’s the first time I’ve laughed since I ran away from the world.” (32:57)
• Dr. Warburton: “I’ve come to say goodbye. . . . and returning to my first love and very rightful place in life.” (33:32)

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Important Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------|-------------| | Discovery at the shack | 03:24–05:45 | | Hermit’s backstory revealed | 06:03–12:23 | | Bill’s attempt to reach the hermit | 15:32–17:51 | | Mountain rescue mission | 18:41–21:20 | | Bill confronts Dr. Warburton | 23:04–26:00 | | The operation (redemption) | 27:29–32:15 | | Dr. Warburton’s decision to return | 33:14–34:44 |

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Episode Takeaways

• Themes of Redemption and Duty: The story is a testament to personal responsibility, the weight of guilt, and the path to forgiveness, especially for those called into service of others.
• Compassion and Community: The rangers’ compassion and persistence break through Dr. Warburton’s defenses, enabling his healing as much as the patient’s.
• Classic OTR Storytelling: Vivid dialogue and dynamic characters illustrate timeless moral messages with genuine drama and warmth.

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The Golden Age Restored

With digitally enhanced audio, the episode’s atmosphere—creaking doors, tense mountain wind, urgent campfire council—invokes the frontier’s lived reality, immersing the listener in the golden age of radio storytelling, revitalized for current appreciation.

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For more restored episodes and classic western drama, visit otrwesterns.com or subscribe to Old Time Radio Westerns on your favorite podcast platform.

Transcript

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[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Ranger Bill, warrior of the woodland.

[Ralph]

Ranger Bill, warrior of the woodland. Struggling against extreme odds. 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 and pride of a job well done. Well, winter is closing fast on the forest wilderness and the rangers are making their last inspection of the wildlife and forest conditions before the Lord puts a clean white blanket of snow over the woodlands. Today we find Bill and Ranger Tom on their way home and well on the last lap before they turn toward knotty pine and rest. And before you know it, they'll be into the story. The Hermit.

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[Ranger Bill]

Easy, big boy, easy. Now I know you got lots of energy but we still got quite a ways to go. Hey, Bill, wait up. Close to him. Whoa there, big fella.

[Ranger Tom]

Oh, Maude, old girl. Come on. Take it easy now.

[Ranger Bill]

What's the matter, Tom?

[Ranger Tom]

Old Maude's getting tired. Hasn't got the oomph that's stored.

[Ranger Bill]

Sometimes I think Storm has too much vim and vigor. More than he knows what to do with. Not only that, he's five years younger than Maude. Now, we better rest the horses here.

[Ranger Tom]

Yeah, this sure is rough country. So what say with this mountain walk a bit, eh? I'd like to stretch my legs.

[Ranger Bill]

Okay.

[Ranger Tom]

I don't know why they can't make saddles out of foam rubber. Oh, this leather gets as hard as concrete after a day's riding.

[Stumpy]

That's right.

[Ranger Tom]

Say, Bill, wonder who's down in that old line shack. There's smoke coming out of the chimney.

[Ranger Bill]

I don't know. It's an abandoned shack. Let's take a look when Maude gets rested a little. That shack hasn't been lived in for years.

[Ranger Tom]

Well, guess whoever's in there doesn't want much company. He must have heard us. Strange he didn't come to the door.

[Ranger Bill]

Yeah. Of course, there could be something wrong.

[Ranger Tom]

Could be.

[Ranger Bill]

Let's take a look, huh,

[Ranger Tom]

Bill, Somebody just looked out the window.

[Ranger Bill]

Yeah. Something funny here. All right. After I dismount and take Storm and get away. Then to find out what's going on.

[Ranger Tom]

Bill, I think the door's opening a little.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Never mind getting off that horse, Ranger. The man's got a right to live alone and in peace in his own house. Now get out of here before I start throwing some lead.

[Ranger Tom]

He's got a gun on us, Bill.

[Ranger Bill]

All right, mister. Don't mean any harm. Just trying to be neighborly, that's all. See you some other time.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Never mind. Just keep away from here if you want to stay healthy. Now get.

[Ranger Bill]

All right. So long. Let's go, Tom, before the fireworks start. He isn't joking.

[Ralph]

Right.

[Ranger Bill]

Come on, Storm.

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[Ranger Tom]

Come on.

[Ranger Bill]

Well, Ralph, this is a pleasant surprise find you here. Yeah.

[Gray Wolf]

Hi. Oh, hello, Ralph.

[Ralph]

Hello, gentlemen. Just thought I'd drop by and see how you were before winter sets in. Nothing important. Just taking a look around, that's all.

[Ranger Bill]

Anything out of order, sir?

[Ralph]

Not a thing, Bill. Everything looks in fine shape. In accord with the best traditions of the forest service.

[Ranger Bill]

Thank you, sir. We certainly want to keep them that way.

[Ranger Tom]

Yeah. If we meet a couple more characters like the one we met this morning, I'm afraid our tradition will Be shot full of holes and us Rangers too.

[Ralph]

What are you talking about, Tom?

[Gray Wolf]

Oh, yeah, what goes here?

[Ranger Bill]

What Tom means is we were threatened with the business end of a 3030 when we got too close to an old line shack up Shady river way.

[Ranger Tom]

Well, he wasn't just making chin music. Believe me, he'd have put daylight through us if we'd ever tried to get off our horses.

[Ranger Bill]

I believe you're right. That old prospector sure wanted to be left alone.

[Ralph]

What prospector? Bill? Who drew a bead on you two? Come on, I'm curious.

[Gray Wolf]

You two talk like dogs chasing tail. Go round and round and get nowhere.

[Ranger Bill]

Well, the truth is we stumbled onto some ornery old fellow living in an abandoned line shack. Haven't the least idea who he is or where he came from. I do. Huh?

[Gray Wolf]

Ralph? Why, who is it, Ralph?

[Ranger Bill]

Come and tell us.

[Ralph]

Well, Colonel Anders told me his story, and it's one of the most interesting ones I've heard.

[Ranger Bill]

Yeah? What's his name?

[Ralph]

Name is Dr. William T. Warburton.

[Gray Wolf]

Doctor?

[Ranger Bill]

Dr. Warburton.

[Ralph]

A doctor?

[Ranger Tom]

That ornery old fella?

[Ranger Bill]

A doctor?

[Ranger Tom]

You mean a real md?

[Ralph]

Not only an MD but with a whole string of other degrees as well.

[Gray Wolf]

Well, what's that?

[Ranger Bill]

Right. Oh, but he doesn't talk like an educated man. His speec Boy, I'll say it was.

[Ralph]

Yes, that's part of the mask. Doesn't want to be discovered.

[Ranger Bill]

Well, this is very interesting, Ralph. You mind telling us his story?

[Gray Wolf]

Yeah, I think it'd be a sad one. Maybe Much trouble to make men come to wilderness to hide.

[Ralph]

You've made a shrewd observation, Gray wolf. Story goes back about two years ago into the operating room of a large hospital in the east. Dr. Warburton was about to perform a critical brain operation, which was not unusual, except that the patient was a very dear friend of the doctor's. In fact, the best friend he'd ever had.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

The patient's completely under, Doctor. Very well, nurse. Pulse 73, respiration 17. Dermatome?

[Ranger Tom]

Yes, sir.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Cole, when are you going to learn how to put an instrument into the surgeon's hand? I want to feel the handle of that knife still sting my palm from now on, understand?

[Ranger Tom]

Yes, Doctor.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Good tissue.

[Ranger Tom]

How's that, sir?

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Oh, you're a good intern, Cole. Hemostat. Retractor. Sponge. Hemostat. Forceps.

[Ranger Bill]

Doctor, how much longer?

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

One hour. You can have a relief nurse take over if you're tiring. Clear that field. Coal.

[Ranger Tom]

Yes, sir.

[Ranger Bill]

Very little blood.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Prepare 30 day chromic sutures now. Second phase.

[Ranger Tom]

Yes, sir.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Doctor, the patient's beginning to show the strain of long anesthesia. Cole, 10ccs of adrenaline, quickly.

[Ranger Tom]

Right here, Doctor.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Inject. Hurry. Doctor, Pulse and respiration are failing. Yes, Nurse. Yes. Knife. Knife, someone. Never mind. I'll get it. Doctor, the patient. What? Cole, 20 cc's at once.

[Ranger Tom]

Here's a syringe, Doctor. I've got it.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Dr. Warburton. Cole, I've. I failed. I. I've killed my best friend.

[Ralph]

That was the beginning of the end of a wonderful career in surgery.

[Ranger Bill]

Yeah, I can see what you mean, Ralph, but why? Sounds like simple heart failure to me. The heart just wasn't strong enough to stand the long strain of anesthesia.

[Ralph]

But you see, Bill, Dr. Warburton blamed himself for subjecting his friend to that strain.

[Gray Wolf]

But such things, who can know? I not think he was to blame.

[Ranger Tom]

I'm sure it was not his fault in any way.

[Ralph]

Yes, and that was the opinion of all the doctors in the hospital. In fact, several weeks later, the chief of staff called on Dr. Warburton at his home and tried to reason with him. Found the doctor in a state of nervous exhaustion and under the influence of liquor.

[Gray Wolf]

Bert, you've got to stop blaming yourself with this.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

I can't.

[Gray Wolf]

The autopsy shows you didn't kill him. The heart just stopped, that's all. How could you know? Every test gave evidence that his heart would stand up under the strain.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

That's what you say. You're just trying to comfort me. It was poor judgment on my part, I tell you. Can't you understand? I made a mistake. It was my fault, Steve. I'm paying for it.

[Gray Wolf]

Don't be absurd, Brett.

[Ranger Tom]

Now, look.

[Gray Wolf]

Listen to reason. I've been asked to come here and invite you back to the staff.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Back? What do you mean? Can't you understand? A human life isn't like a machine. Make an error on a machine, you buy a new part and fix it good as new. I can't do that for Jim. He's gone and I'm through for good.

[Gray Wolf]

When you sober up, you'll come to your senses. Then get back to work. You've got a whole life ahead of you, and we need you. The medical profession needs you.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Need me? Need a failure? Don't kid me. Get out of here and leave me alone.

[Ranger Bill]

All right.

[Gray Wolf]

I'll be back when you're. When you're not so drunk.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Do you have to rub it in? Now get out of here. Get out.

[Ranger Bill]

Too bad. It's obvious that he never did go back.

[Ralph]

No, he never returned to practice. Fled out here to the west. Has been living like a hermit ever since. Roaming the country. Is a prospector most of the time. And I guess he's moved into the old line shack for the winter. Come spring, he'll move on, I guess.

[Gray Wolf]

Too bad he takes this attitude. Everybody make mistake or two in lifetime. Even doctor. But think what good they do.

[Ranger Bill]

That's right. And there's this. The higher up in life you get and the more responsibilities you take on, the more serious are your mistakes.

[Ralph]

Well, it's been nice talking with you fellas, but I've got to move along.

[Ranger Bill]

Well, it's good to see you, Ralph. Wish you could drop by more often.

[Ralph]

I wish I could too, but I have enough to keep me busy down in my own district.

[Ranger Bill]

You know, I'd like to go out and visit that old prospector one of these days. Just to talk to him. Better be careful, Bill.

[Ralph]

He's become very proficient with the business end of his rifle. And he evidently doesn't want to be bothered by anybody.

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[Ranger Bill]

You wait here, Storm, and behave yourself like a good fellow. I'll see if I can't talk to that Ornery old doctor in the cabin over there. Storm, you act like you understand every word I say.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Uh. Oh.

[Ranger Bill]

Can see the business end of a 3030 looking me square between the eyes. I'll just keep on walking as though I didn't see it.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Hold up there, Agent. You ain't welcome here. You ain't invited, see?

[Ranger Bill]

I guess not, by the looks of things. Hold up there, old timer. There's nothing wrong. I just want to talk with you, that's all. I'm not even armed, as you can see.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Well, I suppose there isn't ain't any harm in talking and you're not. He ain't carrying a gun and. All. Right, Ranger, come on in. But no pony business, or I'll make you look like a hunk of Swiss cheese. No, you aren't. Ain't such a bad young feller after all. Have a chair. Ain't. Aren't used to talking with anybody for quite a spell. Ain't much for associating with people, you know.

[Ranger Bill]

Yes, I gathered as much from the reception I got.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Well, you know how it is. I don't like nobody prying into my business.

[Ranger Bill]

I know what you mean, Doctor. As I was saying, Doctor, I'm sorry. I guess that kind of slipped out.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Then you know who I am. And you know my secret. Now listen to me. You get out of this shack, do you hear? Get out and never let me see you again.

[Ranger Bill]

Doctor, just a minute. Please believe me, I.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Not a minute, not even a second. Get out of this cabin before I put a bullet through you. All right.

[Ranger Bill]

That's the way you want it. I only want to help you.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

You'll help me by leaving me alone. You understand? Leave me alone.

[Ranger Tom]

Well, Bill, did you get to talk to that old fellow?

[Ranger Bill]

About two dozen words and most of that over the muzzle of a rifle. What a mistake it is to try to run from the realities of life.

[Gray Wolf]

That one thing no one can run from, Bill oneself.

[Ranger Bill]

It's too bad, Gray Wolf. Especially in the case of Dr. Warburton. Because medical science needs him and sick people need him even worse. Incidentally, Tom, he's not an old man, even though he looks like one. Now, wait a minute.

[Ranger Tom]

Listen.

[Ranger Bill]

Hey, fellers.

[Ranger Tom]

Stumpy, what's the matter?

[Gray Wolf]

You got trouble?

[Stumpy]

Trouble enough, you fellers. There's a mountain climber laying on a ledge way up on the side of old Balding. He's got a busted head.

[Ranger Tom]

Why don't they bring him down?

[Stumpy]

You gotta have experience and equipment to do with this job. Must have thought he was a Human? Mountain sheep or something. Somebody's gotta get him off of there.

[Gray Wolf]

You come to the right place, Stumpy.

[Ranger Bill]

We do it how?

[Ranger Tom]

Sounds like it's going to be tough.

[Ranger Bill]

Tough or not, let's not stand around and talk. Tom, you get a doctor from the hospital and bring him here. We'll leave instructions just where we're going. Stumpy, Gray Wolf, let's go. We're going to climb old Baldy and get that man down if it's the last thing we ever do.

[Gray Wolf]

I noticed restive climbers pretty upset over accident, Bill.

[Ranger Bill]

I can imagine. This fella's rope must have been severed on the sharp ledge. Stumpy, you stay here. Keep our ropes straightened out and keep the floodlight on that ledge.

[Gray Wolf]

Keep ropes straight, most important when we climb.

[Stumpy]

Yeah, don't worry nothing about that, sonny. I'll keep them straight. All right. I've clumped more mountains than there is on the map of the United States. Now, you fellers be careful.

[Ranger Bill]

I sure wish I had a sky oak. It would be eas.

[Gray Wolf]

Well, here he is. Yacht cold as ice cube. Maybe you better hurry and lower him about 200ft down.

[Ranger Bill]

I think you're pretty close to right. Greenwolf, you take a look at our injured friend while I signal Stumpy to drop the small line. Rig the harness so we can lower him since we get the heavy rope up here.

[Gray Wolf]

Okay, Bill.

[Stumpy]

Stumpy, watch the line. Stumpy, watch the line. Okay, let it drop.

[Ranger Bill]

I'm lowering the small rope, Grey Wolf. Soon Stumpy ties down the heavy rope, gets back up here, we can lower the injured fellow off this lane.

[Gray Wolf]

Not fine mill. I got harness on him, Tom. Should have naughty pine doctor waiting for us when we get down.

[Ranger Bill]

Well, Doc, what do you think? Pretty bad, huh?

[Ralph]

Yes. Yes, I'm afraid he suffered a severe injury to the brain. He's in critical condition. I'm afraid he's done for unless the right operation is performed.

[Gray Wolf]

Can't you do it, doctor?

[Ralph]

No, no dare to undertake the delicate surgery needed in this case. In fact, there are only two men in the country who are proficient enough in the Warburton technique. And they're way across the ocean now on vacation.

[Ranger Tom]

Warburton Technique?

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Why, I. Ow.

[Ranger Tom]

Stumpy, can't you stand on your own two feet?

[Stumpy]

Sorry, sonny. I'm just an old man, you know, and my foot slipped.

[Ralph]

What were you going to say about the Warburton technique?

[Gray Wolf]

Hey, where's Bill? He gone just like that.

[Ralph]

Oh, say, that's right. Where did he go and why? He was standing here.

[Stumpy]

He'll be back, Doc. Don't worry. Better see what you can do for this poor feller here.

[Ralph]

Yes, yes, he can certainly make the last minutes of his life a bit easier for him. I'm surprised that Bill's running out on us.

[Ranger Bill]

I wonder.

[Ranger Tom]

Don't worry. He'll be back.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Well, looks like somebody's snooping around again outside. This 3030 is going to talk business this time. I'm getting sick and tired. Now we'll find out who's out there.

[Ranger Bill]

Hold it right there, Doctor. Don't turn around if you want to stay alive.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

So you're back again, Ranger. And you think you've got that drop on me. I'd just like to get one crack at you with this rifle.

[Ranger Bill]

I'm not joking, Doctor. I said don't turn around. Drop that gun now.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

All right, since you seem to be in command right now, step back three

[Ranger Bill]

steps and turn around.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Why, you haven't got a gun at all.

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[Ranger Bill]

Don't try to get to that gun. You'll never make it. Now, inside. I want to talk to you, Dr. Warburton. There's not a minute to waste.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

No, no, no. I can't. And I won't operate on this man, and that's final.

[Ranger Bill]

You've got to, Doctor. You have no choice.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Don't I? Who's going to force me to do something I don't want to do?

[Ranger Bill]

Listen, Doctor, you took an oath to serve human need whenever and wherever needed at all times of the day and night, didn't you?

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Yes, I did. But that's all in the past. I'm not a doctor anymore. Can't you get that through your thick head? I'm not bound, Doctor.

[Ranger Bill]

There's only one thought that's going through my thick head, and that is that here you stand arguing with me while a man's life is ebbing away. Don't you care? In your hands and in your mind is the power to save this man's life, and you refuse to do it. Dr. William Warburton, with all that ability at your command. You're a murderer. And you will stand charged as such before God and before your fellow man if you don't do what you can. Don't you understand? The death of your friend was a tragic one, Doctor. I know. But it was only a mistake. Can't you see that? An error in judgment that any doctor in the world might have made.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Yes, I. I can see that.

[Ranger Bill]

But now you're deliberately letting a man die. And insofar as you do you are guilty of this man's death, aren't you?

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

I. I don't know. I haven't practiced in years, I'm afraid.

[Ranger Bill]

But you could take a look at the man. That's the least you could do. You could tell the doctor from Knotty Pine what to do to save the man's life. Or have you forgotten all you knew? You know you haven't. No more than I could forget how to swim or write my name.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

All right. I'll go take a look at this man. But I won't. I can't touch a knife.

[Ranger Bill]

All right. I'll accept that for now, Doctor. Come on. We'll ride double on Storm. Who is this man you brought, Bill?

[Ralph]

He's certainly a doctor. Seems to know his stuff.

[Ranger Bill]

He is a doctor. And a good one. One of the best in the United States. I'll tell you more later. He seems to have finished his examination.

[Ranger Tom]

What do you think, Doctor? Is he going to die?

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Yes. I'm afraid there isn't much we can do for him. Poor fella.

[Ranger Bill]

You have it wrong, Doctor. There isn't much we can do for him. But there's a lot you can do for him. You can save his life. Can't you see?

[Ralph]

Here, Bill, I don't get this. How can this man save his life? The patient needs brain surgery. Unless.

[Ranger Bill]

Yes, Doc. What were you going to say? Never mind.

[Ralph]

If this man is a surgeon, whatever he needs will get my fullest cooperation. I have a complete emergency kit with me, including anesthesia.

[Ranger Bill]

Thank you. Well, Doctor, what do you say? We haven't much time, you know.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

All right, Bill, get this man on the stretcher. Here, let me shift the body. Don't touch that head. Now under with it. Now back again. Back again. Easily. Good. Now, Doctor, you get the equipment set up for the brain surgery. It'll be a crude operation, but I think I know it'll work. Ready? Good. Instruments. Tourniquet. Bandage. No. Inject the sodium pentothal. Doctor.

[Ranger Bill]

Right.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Knife, please, Bill.

[Ranger Bill]

Yes, sir.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Tom, reflect that mirror a few degrees more this way. Fine. Now pray. Oh, God, help me to remember. Second knife, please.

[Ranger Bill]

Yes, sir.

[Ranger Tom]

How long will it take?

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

I think about 15 minutes. This is only an emergency. If I can repair the damage temporarily, the man will live. He must act. Please.

[Ralph]

Here.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 1]

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[Liberty Mutual Agent 2]

Hey, everyone. Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Liberty Mutual Agent 1]

Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Together we're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 2]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 1]

Anyways, get a'@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 2]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

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[Liberty Mutual Agent 1]

and Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 2]

Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Liberty Mutual Agent 1]

Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Together we're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 2]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 1]

Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 2]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

No, wait. Just wait. We've brought him out of the anesthesia and he should come out of the coma shortly. That is, if I haven't lost my skill.

[Ranger Bill]

Let's trust God for full restoration of your power, shall we, Doctor?

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Yes, Bill. Thank you. The hemorrhage in the brain has been stopped. Excess blood removed and the damage area mended. Now there must be a reaction soon or we've lost the battle.

[Ranger Bill]

Five minutes, Doctor. How will we know when he comes out of it?

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

He'll open his eyes for a moment, then fall asleep.

[Ranger Bill]

Ten minutes, Doctor.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Pulse is a bit weaker, but I hope we weren't too late, Bill. But I'm a little afraid.

[Ranger Bill]

How much longer do we have before we'll know, Doctor?

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Five minutes and we'll know the answer.

[Ranger Bill]

Five minutes are up.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

His pulse is dropping just a bit, I'm afraid, Doctor.

[Stumpy]

His hands. He's moving them.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Good. That's a hopeful sign.

[Stumpy]

And his eyes are opening. He ain't seeing much, but they're open.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Gentlemen, good news. Our patient will live. Well, gentlemen, I'd say the operation was a success. His pulse and respiration are weak but steady. Before we move him, he'll need a transfusion.

[Ranger Bill]

Of course, I'll gladly Give blood, Dr. Warburton.

[Stumpy]

And I'll do the same if you can use the blood of a dried up Old fossil like me ain't much good, except just keep the old pump going.

[Ranger Bill]

What's the matter, Doctor?

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Nothing really, Bill. I. I just happen to think that's the first time I've laughed since I ran away from the world.

[Ranger Tom]

Bill, do you think Dr. Warburton is really going back to practice medicine?

[Ranger Bill]

I wish I knew, Tom. Right now he's over at Knotty Pine Hospital checking on his patient.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

Dr. Warburton, gentlemen, I. I've come to say goodbye.

[Ranger Bill]

You're going back, Bill?

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

I'm taking a plane east within the hour and returning to my first love and very rightful place in life.

[Ranger Bill]

Oh, doctor, that's wonderful. I'm glad to hear a good paradise.

[Gray Wolf]

Thank you.

[Dr. William T. Warburton]

And. And, Bill, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you've done for me. You've made me understand that I can't run away from myself. And what's more important, that I can't run away from. Go.

[Ralph]

Well, it sort of gives you that satisfied feeling to know Dr. Warburton has returned to his true calling in life. Certainly true, boys and girls, that you can't run away from yourself any more than you can run away from God. Be sure to listen again next week at this same time for more adventure with Ranger Bill.

[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, 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.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 1]

Saga there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 2]

Hey, everyone. Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Ranger Bill]

Oh, no.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 1]

We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Together we're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 2]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 1]

Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 2]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

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[Liberty Mutual Agent 1]

and Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 2]

Hey, everyone. Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Ranger Bill]

Oh, no.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 1]

We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Together we're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 2]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 1]

Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Liberty Mutual Agent 2]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.