
Original Air Date: August 18, 1952Host: Andrew RhynesShow: The Lone RangerPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• Brace Beemer (Lone Ranger)• John Todd (Tonto) Writer:• Fran Striker Producer:• George W. Trendle Music:• Ben Bonnell For more great shows c...
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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 absolutely free. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. Now let's get into this episode.
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A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty hi O Silver the Lone Ranger. Before this exciting adventure, a word from our sponsor.
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Free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details. With his faithful Indian companion, 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.
Lone Ranger
Silver.
Narrator
The Lone Ranger rides again.
Lone Ranger
Come on, Silver.
Narrator
Let's go.
Lone Ranger
Big fellow. Are you Silver?
Andrew Rines
Hurry.
Narrator
The Lone Ranger and Tahoe had heard of smuggling down in the vicinity of Corpus Christi. In spite of the vigilance of the troopers at Fort Merrill above Corpus Christi on the Nueces river, aliens were being brought into the country successfully.
Lone Ranger
We reached the outskirts of Corpus Christi by sundown. Not stop at Fort Merrill? No. I decided it's best not to make our presence known for a while. If someone at the fort is working with the smugglers, he's savvy. Now, when we make camp, we'll lay out our plan of action.
Narrator
All right, let's hurry.
Lone Ranger
Come on, Silver, let's come.
Narrator
It was late in the afternoon when the Lone Ranger and TLE picked up the secluded grove as a campsite. It was located near the town and at a point from which they could overlook the bay beyond.
Lone Ranger
There's a dredging barge in the bay near the mouth of the river. Tano. What's your plan do? I'll disguise myself as a cowpoke. Then we'll ride into town and look around. Let's go.
Narrator
A short time later, the Lone Ranger, disguised as a nondescript cowpoke, left camp with Tottle and headed for town. Leaving Silver and Scout Ground hitched between two buildings where they wouldn't attract nothing notice, the two men entered the cafe. Tato moved unnoticed to the back of the cafe where he stood watching as the Lone Ranger sauntered to the bar and started a conversation with the barkeeper.
Lone Ranger
Say, mister, what's that flat looking boat out there with the big wooden derrick on it? It's a strange looking contraption. It's easy telling you're an inland cowpoke. Pardon me if you don't know what that is. That's a dredge. What's it for? Well, it digs mud from the bottom of the bay. And then when the barge is loaded, they move close to the reef where they shovel it off. That sure sounds like hard work to me. Must take a lot of men to do the unloading. Yeah, that's right. It does take plenty of men. And it is hard work for anybody who doesn't like handling a shovel. Do the men stay on that bar? Only the crew stay on it. At night the rest of the workers are brought to town in small boats. Then the boats take them out again in the morning. Say, if you want a job, they might take you on, stranger. Well, I do need a job. Well, all you have to do is.
Narrator
Speak to the foreman.
Lone Ranger
He employs the workers. But there's a foreman in the crew now, along with some of the workers. He's a big fellow with the red hair. Name is Hank Selden, in case you're interested. Thanks for the information, mister. Hey, Jim, give everybody refreshments on me. Well, I sure will, Hank. Hey, everybody.
Narrator
Hank Streetin again.
Lone Ranger
What are you having, stranger? I'll have coffee, thanks. You better go the limit, mister. Hank's always treating the crowd and everybody orders what he wants. Sure, why not? You're a new intern, aren't you? That's right. He was asking a lot of questions about the barge, Hank. I never saw one like him before, that's all. You must have come from far inland. Yes, I did. He says he might be interested in getting a job. You mean you want to work on the barge? Well, I'd rather look around first and see what jobs are open. Sure, sure. I'm Hank Selden, the foreman. You Decide you want work, just look me up. Thanks a lot, Mr. Selden. Enjoy your coffee, stranger. You want anything else, remember, it's on me.
Narrator
That night in the bright moonlight, the Lone Ranger spent considerable time scanning the bay and the shoreline through his strong binoculars. It was about 9 o' clock when he spoke to Toto, who stood beside him.
Lone Ranger
Some men are getting into two large rowboats tied to a wharf down there. Tunnel them. Foreman and crew may be going back to barge. Yes, I think you're right. I'm barely able to make out seven men. Four in one boat and three in the other. They're pulling out into the bay now. Am he able to see them now? I want to watch when they come back in the morning when they take the workers out. Why you want watch boats from barge? Just an idea I have. Tano may be entirely wrong. Come on. No use watching any longer.
Narrator
Meantime, in one of the rowboats, the foreman was talking to the three crew members who were with him.
Lone Ranger
Sorry to bring you back so soon, but the skipper. The supply ship is coming to the barge tonight to make arrangements for a new batch of aliens. How many do you think he brought this? This time, Hank, he's supposed to bring a dozen. It worked just like it did before. His men will bring four of them during the night. They'll be dressed in dungarees, shirt, boots and hats so as to look like workers. The aliens have their faces and hands splattered with mud like the others. So no one would suspect unless he looked real close. Those troopers are used to seeing muddy looking workers coming from the barge. Like Jeff said, they won't bothers once we get them ashore in the wounds. Laundry shop near the door. Doc, our job is done. Wish they have a good system for getting them north. They just seem to disappear from town. One of the workers got suspicious once and started asking questions. Then he disappeared. Believe me, he didn't head north either. I know those hors, man, all right. I got to get to the bars to meet.
Narrator
Later, in his cabin aboard the barge, Hank met with the ship's captain. After making their usual arrangements, Carlos asked.
Lone Ranger
So far no one has been suspicious, eh? Everybody in town knows you bring supplies for the barge every week. And they got used to the ship. Land at anchor two or three nights. You make the plans. Very well, Senor Seldon. Before dawn, after the moon has set, we shall send the first four. Keep them hidden until you are ready to take them ashore. Just leave that to me. I see. By the way, a tall cowpoke was asking a Lot of questions earlier this evening about the barge. You know, he came into the cafe in town after I talked to him. I watched him close. He left with a tall Indian. With an Indian? Yeah. I followed him outside and watched him ride out of town on a couple of fine looking horses. One was a white stallion and the other a pink. That is not good, senor. What do you mean if he should be the hombre? I'm thinking of a man who usually wears a black mask. I don't savvy. My brother Juan was an outlaw in the territory north of here, senor. He was captured by a tall masked man and an Indian who helped the law. They ride such horses as you have done about. But the hombre in the cafe didn't wear a mask. He is said to be most clever. When he captured my brother, he made himself to look like a countryman of mine. And he did not wear a mask then either. Holy metal. Then that could have been the same hombre in disguise. So nobody would know him, huh? Of course, he said he might be interested in the job on the barge. By thunder. I'm going to keep an eye open for him and talk him into taking a job. That is a very clever idea, senor. And once he is on the barge, the masked man who is known as the Lone Ranger will disappear forever.
Narrator
The following morning, the Lone Ranger once more watched as the two boats came ashore from the barge. And also when they left with the workers that evening, he again stood on the bluff with Toto and watched as the boats brought the workers home. Then he handed the binoculars to Toto.
Lone Ranger
Saying, toto, take the binoculars and see if you count the same number of men in each boat that I do. Look, they took out 12 men this morning. Now they're bringing back 16 besides the foreman and crew. Oh, you think other four have been smuggled in? Yes, but I'm going to make sure that not be easy. The foreman said if I was interested in working on the barge to look him up. I'm going to use a cowpoke disguise again. Then take a job on that barge and meet that foreman and make the arrangements. Tonight.
Narrator
We'Ll continue our Lone Ranger adventure in just a moment.
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Today, Spin Quest is a free to play social casino. Void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details. Now to once more the Lone Ranger carefully assumed the disguise and dress of a cowpoke.
Lone Ranger
Evening, Mr. Selden. Well, honey, stranger have a chance. Thanks. Meet two of the barge crew. This is Sam and Jess. What? What do you call yourself, Missy? Reckon I'll answer to Bill. Glad to know both of you. Howdy. Same here. Same here, Bill. Well, if you decided what you want to do, Bill I'll take you on as a barge worker if you want to give it a try. Well, I've thought it over, Mr. Selden. And I figured it might do me good to do a little hard work for a change. So I'll accept the job. How much does it pay? 15 a week. That's not bad for shoveling mud around. Well, they'll be at the dock just below here at 7 in the morning. One of the boats will pick you up with the other workers. I'll bet his friends won't recognize him.
Narrator
By the time night comes.
Lone Ranger
And plenty sure they won't. Yes, he'll be soaked with mud and water. I know what to expect. Well, I'll see you in the morning, then. Good night, man. Good night. Good night.
Narrator
Later, as the Lone Ranger and Tottle rode back to their camp the Lone Ranger was saying.
Lone Ranger
If I find out anything important or if anything happens, I'll give you a signal. How you do that, I'll take a small mirror with me in my pocket. I'll use that to flash a signal. And then what we do, I'll give you the letter of introduction to the major at Fort Merrill, three miles from here. It's the letter the padre gave me. Tell the major what I suspect. I'm sure he'll know what action to take.
Narrator
The following morning, Malone Ranger, posing as a cowpoke, was taken to the barge with the other workers. He was put to work with the others leveling the mud and silt that had been scooped into the hole hold of the barge the day before. Finally, at noon, a bell rang and the men stopped work to go on the single park deck after the barge and to eat their noontime dinner from pails they had brought with them. The Lone Ranger had waited a chance to look over the barge. On the flat deck aft, there was a wooden superstructure containing the crew quarters and a storeroom. Just above the storeroom door, there was a grilled air vent. The Lone Ranger was out of sight of the others. So he decided to pull himself up and look through the grill figures huddled.
Lone Ranger
Against the far wall. Four of Them looking for something strange.
Andrew Rines
Eating.
Lone Ranger
All right, get down. You try. Just wondered what was in there. That's all. Mr. Selden. Too dark to make out anything, though. You're not fooling me. Walk in front of me, around the side of the barge and keep reaching. Sure.
Narrator
The Lone Ranger was thankful that Hank was taking him to the side of the barge facing the shore. He fervently hoped Toto was watching the barge at that moment.
Lone Ranger
Stop here, where the other workers can't see it. Sam. Hey, Sam.
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Yeah.
Lone Ranger
Yeah. Call me Hank. Yeah, we cut a snooper. Oh, Just like we expected, huh? That's right. You there. Walk along beside the superstructure like tell you to stop. All right.
Narrator
The Lone Ranger walked slowly along the deck with Hank and Sam behind him. When he had first raised his hands the Lone Ranger had palmed the small mirror from his pocket. He held the mirror, unseen by the men behind him so that it sent reflected rays from the sun toward the shore where Toto was watching. The Lone Ranger hoped that Tata would know it was a signal of danger. Then Hank spoke sharply.
Lone Ranger
Stand with your back to the wall of the superstructure. Very well. Search him. Simon. Be careful. I'll keep him covered. All right. Look. He was carrying these two guns on him. Put him on the desk in the office next to my cabin. Right. Tonight, you and I will stay aboard and plug him and then bury him in the mud.
Narrator
Hank and Sam locked the Lone Ranger in the storeroom with four aliens after they had bound his hands behind his back. Both the heat and the air were insufferable as the afternoon wore on. Finally the aliens were taken out but the Lone Ranger was locked up alone. He could hear the workers loading into the boats for the trip to shore.
Lone Ranger
This is it. The tunnel didn't get my signal. I've accomplished nothing but my own death. I'll go down fighting.
Narrator
The Lone Ranger looked around desperately. He had tried to force the knots but Hank had tied his wrist tightly and his efforts only served to make them chafed and sore. His eyes had become used to the dimness of the storeroom and he searched hurriedly for something with a sharp edge to cut the cords binding him.
Lone Ranger
Must find something before they open that door. Must get my hands free.
Narrator
Suddenly his eyes rested upon an unlit lantern on top of some boxes.
Lone Ranger
That lantern. It might do it.
Narrator
He knocked the lantern to the floor smashing the glass chimney. Then, selecting a large piece of the broken glass. He managed to grasp it in his fingers by lying down and rolling almost upon it.
Lone Ranger
I have a big piece of the glass. Now, if I can bend my fingers enough.
Narrator
Then began the tedious and painful task of sawing with the glass against the cords. By bending his hands and fingers back once, he almost gave up.
Lone Ranger
It's not going to work. But I can't give up.
Narrator
Then he felt one strand break, then another. Finally, the cord parted and his hands were free.
Lone Ranger
Now let them come.
Narrator
He didn't have long to wait. As he heard footsteps approach the door, he moved to one side of it and stood breathless, ready to spring.
Lone Ranger
I will settle that stupid little razor once and for all. Sam. I don't have a gun. She'll go in first, just in case of trouble. Hey, I don't see him.
Narrator
Hank once stepped through the doorway first. Going past him, a little Ranger reached out, encircling the man's neck with his arm and swinging him around toward the doorway.
Lone Ranger
I'll take that gun now. This will keep you quiet.
Narrator
Seeing Sam fall and realizing he was unarmed, Hank turned from the doorway and ran along the dec. The Lone Ranger followed. He fired a warning shot after the fleeing man. Then, as Hank started up a narrow wooden ladder leading to the roof of the superstructure, the Lone Ranger aimed at his legs and again pulled the trigger. The gun he had taken from the smuggler, Sam was empty. Tossing the empty gun aside, the Lone Ranger ran to the ladder and started climbing. As he jumped from the top of the ladder to the roof of the cabins, the Lone Ranger paused a moment to look around. It was then that Hank sprang from behind a raised skylight. The two men fought furiously. Neither had a chance to get up, and as they struggled, they rolled to the edge of the roof. Hank managed to break loose. Momentarily, he realized he was no match for the Lone Ranger, and his one thought was to get away. He got to his feet and jumped to the narrow deck below.
Lone Ranger
You not get away.
Narrator
The Lone Ranger jumped, landing almost on the crook, and once again the two fell together. Then, as Hank rolled to an advantageous position on top of the Lone Ranger, he pulled a knife from his belt and raised it high, ready to plunge it downward. The Lone Ranger grappled with him, grasping his wrist for a moment, Muscles bulged and beads of perspiration appeared on the foreheads of both men. As Hank slowly forced the shining blade down by adding his body weight to the strength of his arm. Then the Lone Ranger suddenly drew one knee up, quickly planted a foot against Hank and shoved.
Lone Ranger
This will do it.
Narrator
The knife fell from Hank's hand, and his body flew backward to the deck. At the same time, the Lone Ranger sprang to his feet and leaped, landing with breathtaking force on top of the crook.
Lone Ranger
You're through. Finish this. Now get to your feet. Wait, wait. I can't do all that. The troopers have moved in on your friends. As they landed with a smuggled alien. Carlos will get away with the ship. So look out there. A naval vessel moving in on the ship.
Narrator
Hank watched hopelessly as the troopers battled his men at the dock. And as the naval vessel splintered Carlos ship with well placed cannon shots. In a few moments it was all over.
Lone Ranger
Your smuggling days are through, Seldon. They go into your office with me while I pick up my own guns. You make one false move. No, no, no. I can't take it anymore. After I get my gun, we'll pick up your friend Sam. Then we'll take a small boat and go ashore. All right, get moving.
Narrator
Later, after the Lone Ranger had reached shore with his two prisoners and they had been taken by the troopers, the major from Fort Merrill stood with the Lone Ranger and tottle as a curious crowd from the cafe looked on.
Lone Ranger
Well, sir, you did a fine job. Frankly, we were worried about you. I was somewhat worried myself, Major. For a time I expected to see you wearing a mask, but Tano explain about your disguise. When he received your signal and came to the fort, I dispatched a courier up the coast a few miles where I knew that naval vessel was docked. Waiting for just such a call. I think the smuggling will stop now, Major. You and the Navy seem to have caught them all. Not to mention that you brought in the ringleader. Thanks for all you've done. We're glad we could help, sir. Toto and I'll head back toward Eagle Pass now. I hope we meet again sometime. Adios, Major. Goodbye and good luck. I see you brought Silver along, Toto. All right, let's go. Ah, that'll be cool. Easy, Scout. Easy, fella. I beg your pardon, Major, but I've seen that hombre at the cafe. I even talked to him. I noticed you treating him like somebody important. Just who is he anyhow? My friend, he's extremely important. To the West. There isn't a braver American alive than the Lone Rang.
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U-E S T.com Spinquest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details. The Lone Ranger, a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated, is produced by Trendall Campbell Muir Incorporated. The part of the Lone Ranger is played by Brace Beamer, your announcer friend Foy. Listen to the Lone Ranger brought to you by Special Recording 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 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.
Lone Ranger
Foreign.
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Host: Andrew Rhynes
Date: November 13, 2025
In this episode of Old Time Radio Westerns, host Andrew Rhynes presents the 1952 radio drama "The Slave-runner" from The Lone Ranger series. Digitally restored for modern listeners, this gripping tale sees the Lone Ranger and his faithful companion Tonto uncover and thwart a human smuggling ring operating near Corpus Christi, Texas. The drama unfolds through undercover investigation, tense confrontations, and a climactic showdown on a dredging barge, capturing the spirit of justice and adventure emblematic of the Lone Ranger.
"I decided it's best not to make our presence known for a while. If someone at the fort is working with the smugglers, he's savvy."
— Lone Ranger, [03:13]
"Once he is on the barge, the masked man who is known as the Lone Ranger will disappear forever."
— Carlos, [09:49]
"Your smuggling days are through, Seldon."
— Lone Ranger, [20:05]
"There isn't a braver American alive than the Lone Ranger."
— Major, [21:47]
Lone Ranger’s cautious stealth:
"Not stop at Fort Merrill? No. I decided it's best not to make our presence known for a while."
[03:13]
Carlos’s fear of the Lone Ranger:
"But the hombre in the cafe didn't wear a mask. He is said to be most clever."
[09:23]
The iconic Lone Ranger resolve:
"I'll go down fighting."
[16:32]
Dramatic escape ingenuity:
"That lantern. It might do it."
[17:02]
Closing words of justice:
"Your smuggling days are through, Seldon."
[20:05]
Recognition by the Major:
"There isn't a braver American alive than the Lone Ranger."
[21:47]
| Timestamp | Segment | Description | |------------|-----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:59-04:01| Arrival & Café Investigation | Lone Ranger and Tonto gather intel on the barge | | 06:23-08:32| Smugglers' Conversation | Smuggling plot and suspicion of Lone Ranger grow | | 10:46-11:23| Worker Count Discrepancy | Lone Ranger observes extra men returning from the barge | | 14:41-15:00| Lone Ranger Spies on Storeroom | Peers at imprisoned and muddy aliens | | 16:39-17:36| Escape Sequence | Lone Ranger escapes by cutting bonds with glass | | 18:06-19:56| Fight and Capture | Hand-to-hand struggle and the end of the smuggling ring | | 20:23-21:48| Epilogue & Praise | Lone Ranger's actions are commended by Major and townspeople |
The episode maintains the classic tone of a Lone Ranger drama: earnest, suspenseful, and resolute, celebrating justice, bravery, and frontier cunning. Dialogue is snappy and characterful, with moments of danger, ingenuity, and ultimate triumph over evil.
"The Slave-runner" is a quintessential example of The Lone Ranger's blend of detective work, moral clarity, and Western action. The digital restoration showcased by Andrew Rhynes allows listeners to experience the classic drama with a vividness previously unavailable, making the heroics of the Lone Ranger—and his never-ending quest for justice—feel as fresh and exciting as ever.