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Old Time Radio Westerns
The Wasteland | Straight Arrow (01-04-51)
00:29:27
Original Air Date: January 04, 1951Host: Andrew RhynesShow: Straight ArrowPhone: (707) 98 OTRDW (6-8739) Stars:• Howard Culver (Steve Adams)• Fred Howard (Packy McCloud)• Gwen Delano (Mesquite Molly) Music:• Milton Charles Exit music from: Roundup on t...
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Andrew Rines
Foreign 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. N A B I S C O Nisco is the name to know For a breakfast you can't beat, eat Nabisco Shredded Wheat. Keen eyes fixed on a flying target. A gleaming arrow set against a rawhide string. A strong bow bent almost the breaking point. And then. Straight Arrow. Nabisco Shredded Wheat presents Straight Arrow. A thrilling new adventure story from the exciting days of the Old West. To friends and neighbors alike, Steve Adams appeared to be nothing more than the young owner of the Broken Bow cattle sp. But when danger threatened innocent people and when evildoers plotted against justice, then Steve Adams, rancher disappeared. And in his place came a mysterious, stalwart Indian wearing the dress and war paint of a Comanche riding the great golden palomino fury. Galloping out of the darkness to take up the cause of law and order throughout the west comes the legendary figure of straight arrow. Dave Carter and his wife Carolyn had been city folks back east. And when the westward rush began, they, like so many others, sold out house and home and headed for the frontier to begin a new life. But although they meant well, they were not accustomed to the difficulties of the journey. And by the time the wagon train which they had joined reached the town of Pinto, they were as weary as the gaunt oxen who had brought them that far. That was when they fell prey to a pair of scheming land boomers named Slick Halse and Bill Deaver. It'll be as easy as falling off a log, Slick. That pair right young. I see him. Deaver got the wagon out from the rest. They're going no further, huh? Question is, have they got any cash? I heard him talk and they got enough. We work at the same way, Slick. Why not? Worked with all the other tender feet. Yeah, sure enough did. How many times, all told, have we sold that worthless Sandy medic? Plenty. I lost track. Same here. You know, it's a funny thing, Slick. That met is nothing but dry ground cactus. There's a nice big body of water right the other side of the rim rock from meadow. You think the meta'd get some water somehow? Nah, it can't. The rim rock is solid. Cuts in between the lake and the meadow like a cliff. Oh. But as long as these tender feet figure the meadows well watered, that's all that counts, eh? Good thing it rained the other day. Yeah, you bet it is. Little rain makes even the desert blossom out. How I know. Vamos, will you? I'll mosey up to that gentleman up my speed. Say, Misty. Misty, are you talking to mister? Yeah, sure am. You and your Charman wife, you're not going on with a wagon outfit like all the rest, eh? No, we're not. Dave and I have had our fill of travel. He never realized it'd be this difficult. It's not that we're lacking in ambition, mister, it's just. Don't tell me, friend. I can see by myself. Wagon wheel broken, Bound up with wire. The canvas and tatters. Them oxen don't look like they could hardly go another step. I guess they can. I don't blame them. No me, though. We had sort of hoped to find a piece of land. Carol and I were not much on farming. No experience. No, not another word, sir. Not another word. I understand completely. You do? Yeah, and you're wise. You're very wise. Tell you the truth, the trailer head is mean. Mighty mean. Yes, that's what we heard. Mountains, man. More desert redskins. Redskins. Engines. Hostile tribes all the way, man. There's one thing, don't you never trust an engine. Well, there aren't any here, are there? Around, Tinto? Friendly engines, neighbor. All of them friendly. So you two were looking for a piece of land, are you? Do you know of any? Do I? Yeah, the finest land this side of the Mississippi River. Carol. Did you hear that, mister? Is it for sale? The name is Halstead, miss. Mr. Carter. Dave Carter, is it? Well, Mr. Carter, that. That's just a trouble. It was for sale, but I just about sold it. Oh, yes, ma'am. To a man right here in town. A man named Diva. Why, you know, it was only this morning. Hey, Paul. Well, speaking of. Here he is now. The Very Gentle was talking about. Well, what's biting you, Bill? If you don't want that meadowland of mine, I got a customer right here. You have, well, a matter of fact halted. It so happens I want to drop that sale. What's that? Can't help myself. I got word from back East. My brother up and died sudden like. And I gotta go back and look after his family. It's a crying shame. That land is the purest I ever saw. Dave. Dave, did you hear that? Easy now, Carolyn. I heard. Now, easy, mister. Mr. Halstead. Yes? If that land is open, could we see it? Well, we've got cash, Carolyn and me, and we'd buy it just like that. Could we see It. Two days later, Steve Adams was riding near Pinto with Mesquite Molly and Package. It was early morning, and as they drew abreast of a dilapidated covered wagon, a woman stumbled out. Steve. Looks like she's healing. What is it, ma'am? Something wrong? Oh, please excuse the way I look, but I. I just woke up and my husband, Dave Carter. Oh, I hope he hasn't. Hasn't worked, ma'am. Gee, what's your wagon doing camped out here in the sheer desert? Well, it wasn't a desert two days ago when that man Halstead sold it to us. It was green and pretty. Wait a minute. Halstead? Slick Halstead. That name suits him. Butter wouldn't melt on his tongue. Last night, Dave found out that Halstead makes a practice of selling this worthless land to tender feet like us. Hold on. Did you have a horse? Why, yes, one horse. Why? Tracks, ma'am. See him there in the sand? Yes. They're heading him down. Oh, I knew it. I was afraid of this. The rifle has gone, too. The rifle? Dave kept saying he'd get even. He slipped out without waking me. He's gone to town to face with Halstead. Oh, anything might happen. Yeah, I've heard of Halstead. He and a man named Beaver. Ma'am, can your husband handle that rifle? Because if he can't, they'll shoot him down in cold blood. Looks as if Dave is riding straight into trouble. I hope Steve and Packy will think of the right thing to do and rescue him. And you know something, boys and girls? The right thing for you to do when you see a dish of Nabisco Shredded Wheat in front of you is to reach for a spoon and start eating. Yes, those delicious Nabisco Shredded Wheat biscuits topped with milk and sugar are really something. And something you'll want plenty of. You see, Nabisco Shredded Wheat is pure whole wheat, rich natural grain that's grown out on the western plains. Yes, it's mighty good tasting and a mighty fine energy food to keep you going strong all morning long. Tell mother it's Nabisco Shredded Wheat for you tomorrow morning. Sure. Slick Halstead and his sidekick Bieber had taken the life savings of a tenderfoot immigrant to the west named Dave Carter. And when Carter discovers that the land he had purchased is worthless Sandy Meadow, he heads for the town of Pinto to have it out with the land boomers. But as Carter gallops down the main street, he is spotted from the Gunsmoke Cafe. Hey, Schlick, look at there. Yeah, Carter. Yeah, looks like he's loaded for bear too. Maybe you and me better make ourselves scarce for a spell for that tenderfoot. Nobody. Look, I can beat him to the draw any day. Besides, we got the law on our side this time. The law? Use your head. Our transaction was a might shady, but nothing illegal about it. He comes in here riching for a scraple. Hey, come to think of it. Come to think of what? Suppose he does catch a bullet. That'll make it all the easier for us to take back that land and sell it for the next tenderfoot. Hey, gents. Yeah, Listen. Somebody just rode into town searching for me. When he pokes his nose in here and the shooting starts, I want you to do me a favor and back me up. Savvy with gun. Please, Slick. No, no, no. I'll handle all the shooting that's necessary. Just with a law. Who is he, Slick? That tender put your flim flam the other day? Yeah, that's him, gents. Well, in that case, sure we'll swear. Anything you want. Thanks, James. Thanks. All right, Diva, you better. Hey, Slick. Yeah, yeah. Now what? Don't tell me Carter's going right on by. No, he stopped with the hitching rail. I reckon he'll move in any second. But look back the way he comes, Slick, there's two strangers heading in plain fast. You reckon they're with Carter? Oh, that can't be. Well, they're moving fast. You're right. De you slip off the back way and cut around. Savvy? If they do trail in here after the tenderfoot, you'll be right behind them. Right behind them and ready to let fly. There's a town, Steve. But Warren Places is Carter. He's around someplace. Practice. Clean up. Clean up right here. Whoa, whoa. Steve. I don't savvy this chestnut. Right here at the Hitch and Rail, partner. Isn't this the horse we spotted over the hill by Catishkino? That's probably means this place right in front of us. The Gun Smoke Cafe. Yeah. You and me never met up with this Halstead hombre. But from all accounts, this is just where he'd hang out. All I hope is that Carter hasn't had time. Keno's team trouble. Now easy, Packy. Don't rush in until I peek. All right, so you come in here. Gun. Now, Packy. Drop that gun, mister. Drop it. Carter, you all right? I don't know you, mister. We know you. Packy and I just came from Sandy Meadow. Pino and Mesquite. Molly's doing all she can to keep Your wife calmed down, Carter. Even a tenderfoot ought to have more sense than to bust into a place like this. I had to. This man cheated me. No such authority. I sold you a piece of property fair and square. You know it was no good. I don't give a hang what it was. It was legal. The law will back me up. Ain't that Snowball? Yeah. You hear that? And furthermore, Tardy, your two amigos may have the drop on us all right. But what they don't know is that they hind them deeper. Poke Hockey. Hit the dirt. You won't get another chance. Cutter. Cutter. Brev. I think we got to get out of here. Well, I swung. And you mean to say you all three got away without a scratch, Mr. Adams? I guess I was a crazy fool, Dave Carter, you certainly were. When my heart was in my mouth, I was that scared. I'm sorry, Carolyn. Even if we lost everything, it's not as bad as if we've been shot. Your wife's right, Carter. But can't I do something about this land? It looks so green and fruitful. The other day. That was right after a rainstorm. If you've been smart, you'd realize that. I wasn't smart. Oh, we were tired out. Eager to put down roots any place. No, no, no. You mustn't take on. I can't help it, Mesquite. All our life saved. Now, Carolyn Carter, what's done is done. It's all over now. Jumping blue J. It's not over, Mesquite. Unless I'm seeing things. That man in the lead is wearing a sheriff's badge. All right, the three of you, you're under arrest. Keno. Sheriff, if you want to take Carter to the calaboose, I reckon three of us are disturbing the peace. A few hours back in the town. Now, now, wait, Sheriff, you got it all wrong. You can't arrest my husband. It's a man named Halstead that's guilty. Ma'am, I'm sorry. There's witnesses. Halstead is one of them. Just because there's more witnesses on the other side. Packy, now's our chance. For what? To make a break for it. We can't help Carter behind bars. We can get close to our ponies while they're paying attention to Mesquite and the Carters. That's it. Easy now. It's a long shot, but if we make it, run. Packy ready there tonight. Shut up. We got to jump on them, Steve. They can't catch us now. Where are we heading for? There's only one way we can help Carter now. We're heading for Sundown Valley in the hidden cave. The cave of spread era. Get along now. A short distance from the broken Bull ranch house lay Sundown Valley. And in it, through a secret entrance known only to Steve Adams and Packy. A vast subterranean cave. The walls of the cave glitter with crystals of gold. From an unknown source comes light that spreads a shimmering gleam everywhere. And standing in the glowing light is a great golden palomino. Easy there, people. A Comanche bow and Comanche arrows hang on the wall. There is Comanche war paint. A anti garb. In a moment, Steve Adams, rancher, is gone. And in his place, this jury. It is I. Straight down. A clatter of hoops in the vast vaulted cave. An Indian war hoop that rings from the glittering rock. Out into the open gallops the great golden Alamino fury. And riding bareback, clad in Indian garb from head to toe, great arrow on the veil of justice. The sun had already gone down and the moon was beginning to gild the landscape as Straight Arrow, accompanied by Packy, rode along the edge of the sandy meadow at the base of the cliff. No sign of the covered wagon. Straight area. You reckon Ms. Carter hitched up in vamoose? If she and Mesquite went any place, Nahone, it was toward the town of Pinto. Yeah. Reckon show Carter is in jail, is he not? He know. But still Sandy Meadow has no water. Packy, the women could not stay here. Carrie, wait. Hey, Martin. Blazes. Hey, you ran up so sudden. Me and Paint didn't have a chance to say. What are you staring at? The cliff, Nahone. The cliff. Yes. Come, we go closer. Easy there. Steady, Tucky. Lay the palm of your hand on the face of this rock. Keno. But I don't shabby it. Well, I'll be a buckeyed buffalo. Straight hair. It's kind of damp. Very damp, Nahone. But I don't get it. That'd mean why? That'd mean. Yes. We both understand what it might mean. There is only one way to find out for sure. You'll take care of it? I will. Leave it to me. I sure hope it works. It is a long chance, Nahone. But because of this dampness, Dave Carter may find that he has not purchased a worthless property. Packy, while I am busy here, you pick up the trail of the covered wagon. Find Mesquite and Mrs. Carter. Find them and tell them what we have noticed. Bye, Cactus. Mesquite, you mean to say you and Ms. Carter decided to make camp out here. I figured you'd head on into town. What's wrong with this Paki? We stopped at a water hole, didn't we, Packy? Mesquite talked about going into town. But with Dave there in jail and all those people. You know, ma'am, I shabby. Long as you couldn't be right with your husband, you preferred staying out in the open. That town is full of cheats and liars. Don't go blaming the sheriff. I blame everybody, ma'am. That sheriff is honest. I'll bet my hat on it. Then why did he arrest Dave? Now, look, he don't favor Halstead and that crew any more than you do. But if they swore it was us started the fracas. They lied. I swore. They lied. Only can't be proved. Besides, I got some extra special news. It'll make you feel a heap shot better. Special news? Tacky about what? Mesquite? Maybe Dave Carter didn't do so bad when he bought that metal. What's that? But the place. Now, now, now, wait, ma'am. Let me finish. Just a while back, I was. Well, I was with a certain party. And we happened by the cliff at the far end of the meadow. The cliff that cuts off the lake from the meadow. Oh, don't interrupt, Mesquite. This a certain party noticed something might strange. You'll never guess, Packy, will you tell us? He blasts. No, you don't. And I don't. Try nothing, savvy? Next time Beaver pulls trigger, you won't ever talk. You bet he won't. Halston. Slick Halston. Yeah. All right, mister, suppose you tell us. Tell you what? Don't give me that. Me and Beaver were scouting the rimrock, savvy? We saw you and we recognized that big Comanche straight arrow. Well, what did he discover? What's he fixing to do? Mister, you don't want anything to happen to these two females, do Great Arrow has discovered a way to salvage Dave Carter's bad bargain. But meantime, while the red man is busy elsewhere, Slick Halstead and Bill Deaver have trailed after Paki. And they jump him just as he joins Mesquite. Molly and Carolyn Carter. You heard me, Misty. Me and Diva ain't fooling Paki, whatever it is. Don't you. Don't you say a word. Pack. Shut up the mother. Well, Misty Slick, maybe he figures we don't mean business. Ah, you'd never pull trigger on a couple of harmless females. We didn't say anything about doing that, did We, Diva? No, but we might take them out on the desert. Far out, Sally. And leave them there without any horses? Why, you blush? Horses and no water. It's mighty hot out in a desert, mister. Better than 120 degrees in the shade. And there ain't any shade. None at all. They'd walk. Then they'd get scared and they'd run. And they'd get thirstier and thirstier. Stop it. I'm sorry. Never mind, ma'am. Pino. You ain't hosted Packy? No. It's no use, Mesquite. They got us on a short halter, and there ain't no way out. Hosted one thing before I spill it. No bargains. This ain't a bargain. You won't harm the women folk, that's all. Well, they won't be harmed you neither. We'll just take you off somewheres and tie you up good and tight for a spell. That's all. Hannah. Come on, speak up. Okay. Straight Air is planting dynamite in the face of the cliff. Dynamite? He figures that the dampness on the rock means that the water in that lake is starting to seep through. And with a little help, there'll be plenty to irrigate the whole meadow. By thunder. Click. He's right. We should have guessed. You never would in a million years. It takes the red man to notice things like that. So that meadow's gonna be worth 20, eh? It belongs to my husband. It won't for long, ma'am. In return for withdrawing all charges and letting Carter out of jail, I'm gonna make him sign back to me the entire property I sold him. You heard about these richlike? You gonna tie him up and take him someplace? Yeah. And I know just the spot, Diva. Sandy meadow. The meadow? Yeah. So when the red man sets off that dynamite and the water comes out. It'll be a flood. Maybe. Why you. Yeah, maybe it'll drown all three of them. How'd I tie him up, Deaver? They'll get him out there while it's still dark. We're doing Pinto in the morning already. Daybreak, Fury. Drilling holes for this dynamite took longer than I. There it is done. Now the explosive cap and the fuse. Now all that remains is to strike a spark from this flint. The fuse is cut short. We have only a few moments to get clear. There will be rocks and water. Much water there now, Fury, Steady up. Follow me now. Ho. Ho, Fury. Ho. What is that out in the middle of the meadow? Buzzard. Circle over something. I cannot steady, Fury. I will stand on Your back. There it is. Not enough light on the ground yet. Can it be? Do hurry. Paki. Paki and two women. A pelomino. Kaniwa. Oh, Curry Pocky Mesquite. I can't destroy her. We hollered till we were forced. Red man. Packy kept thinking. I understand Mesquite, but there is no time to lose. Any moment the dynamite will explode here. You pursed Mrs. Carter. An Indian. A red man. Don't you be afeard, ma'am. This here's Straight Arrow. He's your best friend law abiding folks ever had. Red or white. Where are your horses? Packy gone by. Catches them thieving skunks took him to town. There now. You a mesquite? Yes. Halstead and Beaver Packy. Keno. The blasted cold jet. Spotted you last night in the moonlight. They trailed after me. Land of Goshen Straight. Aaron. Any I can see the cliff at the end of the meadow. There's water pouring out of it in a regular flood. Oh, red man. Hurry, hurry. We'll all be drowned. Yep. Connor Halstead and deeper here have agreed to drop charges against you. Just say the word and I put the key in this cell door of yours. You mean I. I can go free? You better repeat it for his benefit, Halstead. Suits me. Sheriff. There's a condition. Attached card in a condition. Now hold on. What condition? Halstead? You never said anything. Well, I'm saying it now. Ain't nothing much better. Flick says you give him back that sandy meta and he drops the charges. The Sandy Meadow. Well, that's worthless. Then you won't mind giving it up. What about the cash you paid for? What about Carnon? Yes, Sheriff, you do believe I favor you over these pole cats, don't you? You strike me as an honest man. I am. That's why affair turns the stomach to half the side with these varmints. But still. Yeah. What the Sheriff is saying is that this is your one chance to get free. That's about it. But they lie. I know, I know. But they'd be willing to get on a witness stand and perjure themselves. Perjury, nothing. We'd swear to it. Better make up your mind, Carter. I'll lose my money into the bargain. Well, I'll need a pen to sign the agreement. Yeah, sure you will. Go ahead, Sheriff. Let him out of the cell. He won't run away. I know he won't blast or hide. He's an honest man. All right, Carter, this way to my office. I can't tell you how sorry I am about this. If the day ever comes that I get the goods on these two. It will. Someday. Hey, what's that? Somebody rained up outside as slick as the red man. The red man? Me and Ms. Eaton, Carter's wife. Thought you finished us off, didn't you? But you didn't count on straight air, Dave. You haven't signed it away. Sign what away? Carolyn, I don't. There's water now, Dave. Plenty of water. The red man says the land will become fertile. Fertile? He means irrigation, mister. It'll grow. All you need and more. From now on, that bed is a gold mine. Well, so we lost out on it, didn't we? Yeah. Well, that's too bad. You see, I was figuring. All right, perfect host, then. Drop it. Now back. Back you go, Both of you. That's it. Now, in you go. You put him in the cell. Well, you sure enough did, Sheriff. But I don't understand. You will, Sheriff. This time you have a charge against them that will stick. Attempted murder. Sheriff, I'll take those keys. The attempted murder of mesquite, Mrs. Carter and Packy. A charge that will keep them behind bars for a good looks as if Deaver and Slick are getting just what's coming to them. But say, boys and girls, there's something good coming your way when you ask for Nabisco Shredded Wheat for breakfast. Yes, sir, those crisp toasty biscuits are mighty delicious. Just top them with sugar and milk and you're having a real Straight Arrow breakfast. And a breakfast that'll keep you going strong all morning long. Because Nabisco Shredded Wheat is pure whole wheat, a real energy food. And of course, Nabisco Shredded Wheat and milk give you some important vitamins that you need. Better check with Mother now to see if she has plenty of Nabisco Shredded Wheat on hand. Tell her you'll be glad to go to the store for Nabisco Threaded Wheat anytime. Remember to get the package with a picture of Niagara Falls for Thrilling Adventures of the Old West. Dried with straight arrow. And remember, N A Biso Nabisco is the name to know. For a breakfast you can't beat, eat Nisco Shredded Wheat. Listen again Tuesday, same time, same station, for another adventure with Straight Arrow. This program came from Hollywood. Stay tuned now for Sky King, which follows over most of these stations immediately. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System Foreign 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 become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank the following ranch hand 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 copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.