Thundering Hoofs | The Lone Ranger (11-18-42)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Old Time Radio Westerns

Episode: Thundering Hoofs | The Lone Ranger (11-18-42)

Release Date: July 7, 2026
Host: Andrew Rhynes

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Overview

This episode features a digitally restored broadcast of The Lone Ranger originally aired on November 18, 1942, titled “Thundering Hoofs.” Set in the lawless prairie towns of the Old West, this thrilling adventure unfurls a tale of arson, cattle rustling, treachery, and justice. The Lone Ranger and his companion, Tonto, race to unravel a complex criminal plot wherein a ranch is set ablaze as a decoy, herds of cattle are stolen, and an ex-convict faces a deadly setup. Over the course of the episode, the iconic masked rider of the plains displays his intellect and courage to uncover the truth and restore law and order.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Stage is Set: Prairie Fire and Cattle Rustling

[04:14–06:37]

• The Bar Z Ranch, threatened by a fierce dust storm, is suddenly faced with a rapidly spreading prairie fire.
• The fire, it quickly emerges, is not a natural disaster, but a ruse set by criminals Spade and Barney to distract the cowhands and facilitate a cattle theft.
• The fire’s intensity pulls every hand away from the herds, leaving the cattle vulnerable.

"Lighting a grass fire is the best decoy we've hit on yet." – Spade [05:54]

2. Criminal Conspiracy and a Framed Ex-Con

[07:03–09:11]

• Back in town, Spade and Barney discuss their plan with Leif Stevens, the ringleader, who is set to double cross Tad Harrison, an ex-con just released from prison.
• The plot is to kill Tad in Silver Basin by stampeding stolen cattle at him, and thus pin the entire heist on him, leveraging his criminal past.

"He'd be trapped by rock walls on three sides and a hundred stampeding steers from the other." – Spade [08:59]

3. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Intervene

[10:15–14:12]

• The Lone Ranger and Tonto arrive just as Tad Harrison faces certain death from the stampede.
• Using quick thinking, they create a fire barrier with brush piles to turn the cattle aside at the last moment, saving themselves and Tad.
• Leif Stevens is trampled in the chaos.

"Cut down the brush with your knives. Heave it in as many piles as you can." – The Lone Ranger [11:41]
"The cattle are turning. They're heading back." – The Lone Ranger [12:13]

4. Tad’s Dilemma: An Innocent Man in Jeopardy

[12:44–14:08]

• The trio discovers Leif's body. The Lone Ranger questions Tad, who insists on his innocence and desire to live straight post-prison.
• The Lone Ranger warns that despite Tad’s honesty, the sheriff is likely to suspect him regardless.
• To protect Tad, the Lone Ranger instructs him to lay low.

"I believe you, but I doubt if the sheriff will." – The Lone Ranger to Tad [13:10]

5. The Sheriff Mobilizes: Pursuit of Justice

[14:44–16:30]

• The Bar Z ranchers and their allies, led by the sheriff, extinguish the blaze and vow a manhunt to find the responsible “low down coyotes.”
• Their search for the rustlers is complicated by the loss of the cattle’s trail in a rocky pass due to dust storms.

"We'll teach them what it means to play with matches, huh, boy? I'm calling for volunteers to trail 'em hombres, right now." – Sheriff [14:51]

6. Foiled Trails and The Lone Ranger’s Strategy

[15:41–17:09]

• The Lone Ranger recognizes that the rustlers have driven cattle over stony ground to erase evidence, making tracking nearly impossible.
• He resolves to outwit the criminals rather than pursue them blindly.

"I was afraid of this. Tonto, rustlers plenty smart. The way the wind is blowing the dust, the rustlers' tracks will be completely covered before they're found." – The Lone Ranger [15:41]

7. Eavesdropping on the Outlaws

[18:19–22:05]

• The following day, the Lone Ranger and Tonto spy on Spade and Barney as they anxiously wait for Leif (unaware of his death).
• The sheriff questions the suspicious duo but lacks hard evidence tying them to the fire or cattle theft. He suspects Tad as well, given his recent prison release.

"You boys wouldn't know anything about that. Or how that grass fire was started so as to make it easy for the rustlers to run the steers." – Sheriff [20:16]

8. The Lone Ranger’s Deception: Infiltrating the Gang

[22:05–24:31]

• The masked man confronts Spade and Barney, pretending to be Tad Harrison and demanding a cut of the loot for his silence.
• The Lone Ranger manipulates the pair into a new scheme: kidnapping the sheriff’s daughter to force the posse to withdraw from Rocky Patch so they can retrieve the stolen cattle and cash without interference.
• He orchestrates the drawing of lots, rigging the draw so Spade will stand guard outside while he and Barney enter the house.

"You want to collect the cash and cross the border, don't you?... To save his daughter's life, the sheriff wouldn't stop us. He'd call in his posse and let us travel through Rocky Patch to pick up the cash." – The Lone Ranger (as Tad) [23:20–23:33]

9. The Trap is Sprung

[24:31–29:12]

• That night, the Lone Ranger follows through with his plan. At the sheriff's house, he reveals to Barney that Spade had planned to double cross them by manipulating the lot draw.
• In the ensuing confrontation, the sheriff is alerted, and Barney is captured. Barney confesses his and Spade’s involvement in the arson and cattle theft, and the evidence is found on his person.

"You came to kidnap the sheriff's daughter so he wouldn't prevent you and Spade from claiming the cash for the stolen cattle. You'll find proof in Barney's pocket. A note he wrote threatening your daughter with death…" – The Lone Ranger [28:06]

• The real Tad Harrison is exonerated, while Spade and Barney are implicated.
• The Lone Ranger vanishes before thanks can be given.

"Who is he? He's the Lone Ranger." – Closing line (Sheriff and Narrator) [29:01]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Lighting a grass fire is the best decoy we've hit on yet." – Spade [05:54]
• "He'd be trapped by rock walls on three sides and a hundred stampeding steers from the other." – Spade [08:59]
• "Cut down the brush with your knives. Heave it in as many piles as you can." – The Lone Ranger [11:41]
• "I believe you, but I doubt if the sheriff will." – The Lone Ranger [13:10]
• "I was afraid of this. Tonto, rustlers plenty smart. The way the wind is blowing the dust, the rustlers' tracks will be completely covered before they're found." – The Lone Ranger [15:41]
• "You and Spade—here's the real Tad Harrison right here." – Sheriff [28:32]
• "Who is he? He's the Lone Ranger." – Closing exchange [29:01]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|---------------------------------------------| | 04:14 | Prairie fire breaks out; plan revealed | | 06:37 | Rustlers stampede cattle, frame Tad | | 11:41 | The Lone Ranger's fire trap saves Tad | | 13:00 | Tad's innocence discussed | | 14:44 | The sheriff rallies ranchers | | 15:41 | Lone Ranger assesses the lost trail | | 18:19 | Lone Ranger & Tonto eavesdrop on gang | | 20:16 | Sheriff questions Spade and Barney | | 22:05 | Lone Ranger sets up the infiltration | | 23:20 | Plans for kidnapping the sheriff’s daughter | | 24:45 | Lone Ranger's counter-plan with Tad & Tonto | | 25:30 | The trap is set at the sheriff's house | | 28:06 | The reveal and Barney’s confession | | 29:01 | The Lone Ranger’s identity confirmed |

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Tone & Atmosphere

The episode maintains the classic, suspenseful tone characteristic of Golden Age radio dramas, filled with tension, galloping hooves, coded plans, stoic heroism, and colorful Old West slang. The restored audio brings new life to every ricocheting bullet and gust of prairie wind, immersing listeners in the atmospheric drama.

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Conclusion

"Thundering Hoofs" exemplifies The Lone Ranger at its finest—a tangled web of crime, framed innocence, and daring heroics. Through a combination of quick thinking, undercover sleuthing, and unwavering moral resolve, the Lone Ranger and Tonto clear an innocent man's name and bring a cunning gang of rustlers to justice—leaving the legend of the Lone Ranger to echo once again across the plains.

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Transcript

[The Lone Ranger]

What's up everybody?

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[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host Andrew Rines and I'm excited to bring you another episode. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. You can find more Western shows at our website by going to otrwesterns.com now let's get into this episode.

[Lefty]

Silver boy,

[Narrator]

Fiery horse with a speed of light, the cloud of dust and a hearty higho. Silver the Lone Ranger.

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[Narrator]

With his faithful Indian companion, Tle, the Masked Rider of the Plains led the fight for law and order in the early western United States. The stories of his strength and courage, his daring and resourcefulness, have come down to us through the generations. And 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.

[Lefty]

Silver.

[Narrator]

The Lone Ranger rides again. Black clouds scudded across the night sky. Wind whipped along the border like a surf lashing the shore and swept north with countless whirlpools of prairie dust shivering in the wintry blasts. A herd of longhorns huddled closer together and bawled plaintively. The waddies detailed to guard them blew into their cupped hands and ducked their heads against the dusty onslaught.

[Lefty]

Watch them calves lefty they stray from the Herd. We'll never find them in this dust. Yeah. Can't keep the sand out of my eyes. I'll be glad to get back to the bunk house. Lefty, look. Prairie fire. Holy cats. The wind's blowing it this way. And the ranch buildings, too. Get the boys. We gotta hit it up. Get up there.

[Narrator]

As the waddies race to the ranch house for aid to combat the fast spreading flames, the small, shrewd eyes of two men who watched them go flickered with amusement. They pulled their hat brims over their faces to shield them from the sandstorm, then looked again at the now roaring prairie fire they had started.

[Spade]

They won't stop that blaze in a hurry, Barney.

[Barney]

You set us free.

[Spade]

You got the wind with us, too.

[Barney]

Yeah, the dust blizzard. Just to make it harder for them cowpokes to put it out.

[Spade]

It'll take just about every hand they got to fight the fire.

[Barney]

Yeah, even them, this guard and the kettle.

[Spade]

As soon as they're all busy with the blaze, Leif and the boys will rustle the steed.

[Barney]

Lighting a grass fire is the best decoy we've hit on yet.

[Spade]

Yeah. Ain't no way they can meet it.

[Barney]

What is it? Coming back.

[Spade]

Bringing size to cut the grass.

[Barney]

Look back there. Ain't that late for the boys.

[Spade]

Yeah. That's him. They're splitting up to stampede the herd.

[Lefty]

It's spreading fast. Bring them slaves over here. Cut down the grass. How? And thunder. You suppose it's. Oh, I don't know. But it'll take every hand to put it out. Spread out, boys. We got to work fast. What's that? Sounds like gunfire. Rustlers? Or stampeding the herd. We've been tricked, Mike. Yeah.

[Narrator]

What do we do?

[Lefty]

Stay here and fight the fire. Them plane freaks and ranch. It'll burn like paper. What about the stairs? We'll trail them after the fire's out. I'd sure like to get my hands on the pole cats and start a prairie fire just to get their crooked fingers on some cash.

[Narrator]

Sheltered from the dust storm in a cave, the lone ranger in Tonto watched a faint red glow spread against the black sky.

[The Lone Ranger]

It's a grass fire tunnel.

[Spade]

Ah.

[The Lone Ranger]

How far away would you say it is?

[Narrator]

Maybe 10, 15 miles.

[The Lone Ranger]

With this wind, it'll take the ranchers hours to put it out.

[Spade]

We ride there?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, Kimo sabe. They'll need all the help they can get.

[Lefty]

Come scout.

[The Lone Ranger]

Big fella. All right, big fella.

[Lefty]

Get him up. Scout. S.

[Narrator]

Meanwhile, in the back room of the cafe in border city.

[Spade]

Hey. Your deal, Bunny.

[Barney]

That idea of yours fade. Set the grass fire to call off the guards while Leaf and the boys rustled a kettle.

[Spade]

Another thing they could do about it either. Long as the wind was blowing the flames toward the range.

[Barney]

They're trailer stairs as soon as it's out to home.

[Spade]

Not more than a few miles. The boys are covering up the trail by driving the herd up a rocky patch. That way they won't leave tracks.

[Barney]

Yeah, well, it gets. Leaf will be collecting the cash from that cattle buyer pretty soon.

[Spade]

Leif's got a job to do first.

[Barney]

What kind of job?

[Spade]

Tad Harrison arrives in town this morning. Yeah.

[Barney]

No, heard he went straight to see the sheriff's daughter, Betty. They cared to sweeten each other.

[Spade]

He was just let out of the state prison.

[Barney]

What about it?

[Spade]

Tad was sent up for cattle rustling. Lave testified against him to save his own skin.

[Barney]

Yeah.

[Spade]

Remember, when the sheriff hears about tonight, he'll suspect Tad. But Tad'll have an alibi and put it on Leif's trail.

[Barney]

It means our trail. What'll we do?

[Spade]

Leif's already figured it out. He's aiming to beat Ted to the draw by pinning the blame on him. Oh, Lave's meeting Ted tonight in Silver Basin.

[Barney]

Well, lads, you on the trail where the boys are running the kettle?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yeah.

[Spade]

Dave's gonna cut about a hundred longhorns from the herd and drive them into the basin. Them stairs will trample Tad. The kingdom come.

[Barney]

You'll ride away from him.

[Spade]

He can't. Silver Basin's a regular pocket. He'd be trapped by rock walls on three sides and a hundred stampeding steers from the other.

[Barney]

Say, that sure is slick.

[Spade]

And when the sheriff finds him, he'll figure the longhorns ran Harrison into the basin while he was rustling.

[Narrator]

The wind howled wolfishly overhead as Tad Harrison reined in his horse and Silver Basin. He beat the sand from the sombrero and cotton shirt and waited impatiently for the man he had agreed to meet. Steady, boy. I don't like it any more than you. At least we're not eating prairie dust for a change. I don't know why Leif Stevens has to see me tonight. And here of all places. If I hadn't promised Betty I wouldn't, I'd settle accounts with that double crossing polecat. What's that?

[The Lone Ranger]

Sounds like thunder.

[Narrator]

Longhorns coming this way.

[The Lone Ranger]

They're heading in here.

[Narrator]

As the longhorns thundered towards Silver Basin, the death trap Leif Stevens had cunningly prepared for Tad, the Lone Ranger and Tonto raced along the same trail near the basin's entrance.

[The Lone Ranger]

Rain over the side.

[Lefty]

Tto those tails will run us down and come plenty fast for silver.

[The Lone Ranger]

Let those longhorns have the trail.

[Lefty]

Hung them scallops. Here's the basin. Wait in the entrance while the cattle go by whole.

[Spade]

Silver.

[The Lone Ranger]

Looks like the Barzi brand. Tado that right? They're coming from the direction of the fire. I wonder if they.

[Narrator]

Maybe ranchers drive them here, save them from fire.

[The Lone Ranger]

Nothing to the size of that glow in the sky. I'd say the Bar Z needed all hands to stop the flames.

[Spade]

How?

[Narrator]

How cattle get here then I don't.

[Spade]

Huh?

[Sheriff Jeff]

Look there.

[The Lone Ranger]

Hummer.

[Narrator]

Fire guns.

[The Lone Ranger]

Cowboys don't do that. They're rustlers.

[Narrator]

Them stampede some steers. This way.

[The Lone Ranger]

El Timeless totto.

[Lefty]

Right.

[The Lone Ranger]

Back into the basin.

[Narrator]

Into the basin race the powerful white stallion in the sturdy. Behind them thundered a hundred Texas longhorns.

[The Lone Ranger]

We're gaining on them.

[Lefty]

Tunnel. We've got to stop them.

[The Lone Ranger]

This basin has only one outlet.

[Lefty]

Their man upper hand. We can use him. Up Scout.

[Narrator]

With only seconds to spare, the masked man and his Indian friend rode until they faced a sheer stone wall, then leaped from their horses. The Lone Ranger recognized Tad Harrison and quickly made up a part of his plan.

[The Lone Ranger]

Cut down the brush with your knives. Heave it in as many piles as you can.

[Narrator]

Working against time, the three men raced to the scattered brush, cutting it down and heaping it in piles in front of them. Then they set fire to each of the brush heaps.

[The Lone Ranger]

The cattle are almost here.

[Lefty]

They've got to stop. Mame. Stopping, you see.

[Narrator]

With the three men standing with their backs to the wall, the longhorns seemed to hurl their massive bulks forward for the kill. And the flames from the brush piles leaped into a curtain of fire, shielding the men.

[The Lone Ranger]

Cattle are turning. They're heading back.

[Lefty]

That was a close one. What was that?

[The Lone Ranger]

Look. Man who stampeded the cattle. He's fallen under them.

[Narrator]

Riding with Tad. Where the fallen man lay, the Lone Ranger and Tonto bent to examine the outlaw.

[Spade]

Him dead?

[Narrator]

Why, it's Leif Stevens.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, I know.

[Narrator]

He must have planned that stampede to kill me. That's why he asked me to meet him here.

[The Lone Ranger]

Why would he want to kill you?

[Narrator]

I don't know.

[The Lone Ranger]

The cattle you saw were part of a herd stolen by Leif and his men from the Barzee ranch.

[Narrator]

Dad, you know who I am?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes.

[Narrator]

That mask. Are you an outlaw?

[The Lone Ranger]

I'm not an outlaw. Dad, you were sent to prison for cattle rustling. Are you connected with this gang?

[Narrator]

No. Well, when they set me free. I swore I'd go straight.

[The Lone Ranger]

I believe you, but I doubt if the sheriff will.

[Barney]

I don't understand.

[The Lone Ranger]

Those tears were driven from the direction of that prairie fire.

[Narrator]

I saw the glow in the sky. It's gone now. Ah, Them may be put out flames.

[The Lone Ranger]

That fire was apparently no accident, Tad. It probably was started by men working with Leif so the gang could steal the cattle.

[Narrator]

I guess you're right.

[The Lone Ranger]

The sheriff will suspect you as one of them.

[Barney]

But it's not true.

[The Lone Ranger]

Life was friendly with two strangers in town. They're members of the gang. They probably knew of his plan to kill you.

[Narrator]

I don't know any strangers.

[The Lone Ranger]

And since you just left jail, the chances are they don't know you.

[Narrator]

But you've got.

[The Lone Ranger]

It'll be necessary for you to stay undercover for a while.

[Barney]

I can't even see Betty.

[The Lone Ranger]

The sheriff's daughter.

[Narrator]

Yeah, we were planning to be married soon.

[The Lone Ranger]

Won't help your chances if you're jailed for wrestling again, Tad.

[Narrator]

You're right.

[The Lone Ranger]

Take care of life.

[Narrator]

Come along, Tyler. What we do now?

[The Lone Ranger]

We'll trail those stairs. Ready, big fella? We'll be back soon to take you to our camp, Ted. Come on, Silver.

[Lefty]

In and up, Scout.

[Narrator]

Hey, I. I don't even know who you are.

[Lefty]

You look in saddlebag.

[Narrator]

Saddlebag? A silver bullet. What the lo. As the Lone Ranger, Tonto and Tad Harrison talked in Silver Basin, the men of the Bar Z Ranch, with the help of neighboring ranchers and townspeople hastily recruited by the sheriff, threw sand on the last flickering flames of the once roaring prairie fire. Fire's just about out, Max.

[Lefty]

Tell your men to stack them sides, Lefty. The sheriff has a word to say.

[Narrator]

All right, boys, drop what you're doing. We got other work to do.

[Lefty]

Men. You all know this fire was started so a gang of the lowest coyotes you can imagine could rustle a Bar Z steers. Yo, Papua. And when we get our fists on them, we'll teach them what it means to play with matches, huh, boy? I'm calling for volunteers to trail him, hombres. Right now. Count me in, Sheriff. I reckon he can count us all in. Can he, boy? All right, boys, get your horses and ride.

[Narrator]

Back on the trail. The musk muscular legs of the great horse Silver and the sturdy Scout stretched with powerful strides in pursuit of the stolen cattle. Even in the dark, the herd's hoof prints were easy to follow, though partly obliterated by the sifting sands. Then suddenly, they were swallowed up by a five mile stretch of stone and shale known as rocky patch.

[The Lone Ranger]

I was afraid of this. Tuttle rustle is panty smart. It would take hours to patrol the rim of this patch and pick up the trail. The way the wind is blowing the dust, the rustlers tracks will be completely covered before they're found.

[Narrator]

We hunt anyway.

[The Lone Ranger]

I know tunnel. I have a better idea. Wait. The men from the Bar Z. Ah,

[Narrator]

them follow cattle too.

[Lefty]

Look Sheriff, a masked man and an engine. There we are. Come on Silver. Get him up. Scout. They're riding away. The pole catcher started to fire. It's no use Mac that like horses traveling like a stream. Keep on shooting.

[Narrator]

The curtain falls on the first act of our Lone Ranger story.

[Spade]

Before the next exciting scenes, please permit

[Narrator]

us to pause for just a few moments.

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[Narrator]

Now to continue our story. The next day, two figures concealed by the low hanging branches of a tree crept stealthily to the window of the back room of a cafe. One wore a white sombrero and a black mask. The other was an Indian.

[The Lone Ranger]

Those are the two strangers I saw with the LA fellow.

[Spade]

Uhhuh.

[The Lone Ranger]

They may be members of the gang.

[Narrator]

We listen? Maybe find out.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes. Come.

[Spade]

And Want to play another game, Bonnie? No.

[Barney]

I'm sick of this weeding. Spade.

[Spade]

Take it easy.

[Barney]

We've been gambling here all night. What's keeping life?

[Spade]

He'll be alone.

[Barney]

Yeah. Suppose he don't come.

[Spade]

What do you mean?

[Barney]

It'd be easy for him to slip over the border once he collected the cash.

[Spade]

I don't like that kind of talk, Bonnie.

[Barney]

I don't like this waiting either. We risked a noose setting that fire so he could wrestle them cows. I would have seen my cut.

[Spade]

Something must have happened.

[The Lone Ranger]

Maybe.

[Lefty]

Why?

[Barney]

We watched him till he got the kettle clean away.

[Spade]

I mean in Silver Basin while he was stampeding them stairs.

[Barney]

You're local. The only thing that could happen in that basin last night happened to Tad.

[Spade]

Reckon you're right. I don't see how Ted could turn the tables. But.

[Barney]

What?

[Spade]

I'd feel a lot safer if we knew what that hombre looks like. Just in case he got laid and came gunning for us.

[Barney]

Hogwash. Spade, you just

[Spade]

what do you suppose that is?

[Barney]

I don't know. Leaf would knock.

[Sheriff Jeff]

What a talk to you two.

[Spade]

Oh, hello, Sheriff. Come on in.

[Sheriff Jeff]

You've been in town several days now. Claim you're interested in cattle.

[Barney]

We are.

[Sheriff Jeff]

Bought any steers?

[Spade]

Well, fact is, Sheriff, we ain't found any in these parts worth buying.

[Sheriff Jeff]

So you decided to get them another way.

[The Lone Ranger]

You know.

[Spade]

What do you mean?

[Sheriff Jeff]

500 prize bars. East stock was raided last night. But I guess you boys wouldn't know anything about that.

[Barney]

Nope.

[Sheriff Jeff]

Or how that grass fire was started so as to make it easy for the rustlers to run the steers.

[Barney]

What grass fire?

[Sheriff Jeff]

You've been pretty friendly with Leif Stevens.

[Spade]

Just had a few drinks with him, Sheriff.

[Sheriff Jeff]

Suppose you ain't chummy with Ted Harrison either.

[Spade]

Never met the hombre.

[Sheriff Jeff]

Appears to me it's more than just an accident. Them steers were stolen the day Tad was let out of prison. Looks to me like Tad and Leif Stevens buried the hatchet to pull this job. I ain't so sure you two weren't in on it.

[Barney]

Oh, now you got us wrong, Jeff.

[Sheriff Jeff]

Maybe I have, maybe I haven't. But I'm keeping an eye on you. Good day, gents.

[Narrator]

From their place of concealment near the window, the Lone Ranger and Tonto watched the sheriff leave the cafe. Then the masked man turned to his Indian friend.

[The Lone Ranger]

The sheriff is bluffing, Tonto. He's sure Spade and Barney are connected with the rustlers. But he has no proof.

[Narrator]

And not give him clue?

[The Lone Ranger]

No, Sheriff. Maybe scare him out of town. They won't go far without their share of the cash.

[Narrator]

That's right.

[The Lone Ranger]

It was late. Stevens dead, I wait.

[Narrator]

What you think?

[The Lone Ranger]

We may be able to trick them, Tano.

[Narrator]

You got planned?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, it's a long chance, but it may work. Let me do return to the camp. I'll join you there. Wish me luck, Kimosabe.

[Narrator]

Meanwhile, in the back room of the cafe, Spade and Barney hastily conferred.

[Spade]

Barney.

[Barney]

Yeah?

[Spade]

This place is getting a little too warm. We better get to late before the sheriff does. Yeah.

[Barney]

Somebody else's fingers will be on that casualty.

[Spade]

Yeah.

[The Lone Ranger]

Let's go. Clap your hands.

[Narrator]

What the mast.

[The Lone Ranger]

Sit down.

[Barney]

Who are you?

[The Lone Ranger]

Stevens stampeded a bunch of steers into Silver Basin last night. He thought he could make murder look like an accident.

[Spade]

How did you know?

[The Lone Ranger]

I'm looking for the men who helped Planet.

[Barney]

We didn't have nothing to do with him, missy.

[Spade]

No, no, it. It was all Leif's idea.

[The Lone Ranger]

The last idea Leif will have.

[Barney]

You mean you.

[The Lone Ranger]

He's six feet under.

[Spade]

Say, you must be.

[The Lone Ranger]

Who do you think I am?

[Spade]

Ted Harrison.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yeah, well, what's it worth to keep me from turning you over to the sheriff?

[Barney]

Well, one third.

[Spade]

Sure, Ted, you can have Leif share.

[The Lone Ranger]

Who has the cash?

[Barney]

The man who bought the stairs. He was supposed to give Leif the money.

[The Lone Ranger]

Where are the cattle located?

[Spade]

That's our secret.

[Barney]

Yeah.

[The Lone Ranger]

May not be unless you act.

[Narrator]

What do you mean?

[The Lone Ranger]

The sheriff traced the cattle Iraqi Patch. There's posse's patrolling the patch to pick up the trail and recapture the steers.

[Spade]

How do you know?

[The Lone Ranger]

I saw them.

[Barney]

Spade, if that posse recaptures the cattle before we collect the cash, our work will be for nothing.

[Spade]

How we get through Rocky Patch with the posse on guard?

[The Lone Ranger]

They're kidnapping the sheriff's daughter. What?

[Spade]

Going local.

[The Lone Ranger]

Ted, you want to collect the cash and cross the border, don't you?

[Barney]

Sure. Then we'd be safe.

[Spade]

What's that got to do with it?

[Barney]

I get it. To save his daughter's life, the sheriff wouldn't stop us. He'd call in his posse and let us travel through Rocky Patch to pick up the cash.

[Spade]

That's what makes you so sure?

[Barney]

Cause we'll leave a note threatening his daughter with death if she doesn't.

[The Lone Ranger]

I don't know.

[Barney]

Afraid to Spade.

[Spade]

Who's afraid?

[Barney]

Chip in then.

[Spade]

All right. I mean.

[The Lone Ranger]

Good. We'll draw lots.

[Barney]

What's first?

[The Lone Ranger]

Spade. There are three strips from this newspaper.

[Spade]

Yeah. All right.

[The Lone Ranger]

Hold them while Barney and I draw. The one who draws the shortest strip will stand guard outside the sheriff's house while the others go in.

[Barney]

Hurry up with them strips, Spade.

[Spade]

I'm arranging them.

[Barney]

Well, don't be so careful about it.

[Spade]

All right? All right. Yeah, I'm ready.

[The Lone Ranger]

You first, Barney.

[Barney]

Sure it's a long one.

[The Lone Ranger]

I'll draw another long one. That means you have the short one. Spade.

[Spade]

Yeah.

[The Lone Ranger]

You'll watch outside while Barney and I go in.

[Barney]

When should we pull this job, Ted?

[The Lone Ranger]

I'll meet you at that clump of trees behind the sheriff's house at midnight.

[Barney]

Somebody's in for a big surprise.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, Barney. Somebody is.

[Narrator]

That evening, the two outlaws made hasty but careful preparations for kidnapping the sheriff's daughter and eluding the sheriff's posse in order to pick up the cash for the stolen cattle. Meanwhile, the Lone Ranger conferred with Tonto and Tad at their camp not far from town.

[The Lone Ranger]

You know what to do. Kimasaba.

[Narrator]

Tanto.

[The Lone Ranger]

No. Don't mess with that knife.

[Narrator]

Me not mess.

[The Lone Ranger]

I know I can count on you. Tad. Have you written the note to Betty, the sheriff's daughter?

[Narrator]

Yeah, it's right here.

[The Lone Ranger]

What did you say?

[Narrator]

This is what you told me to say. Told her about tonight's plan and to stay overnight with her aunt to avoid risk. Me take note now.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, Totto. Soon be time for me to meet the rustlers.

[Narrator]

Come, scout. We see you after midnight, huh?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yes, Toto. If everything works as we planned, dad will be free to go tomorrow, thanks to you two.

[Lefty]

Get him up, Scout.

[Narrator]

Promptly at midnight, the masked man met with Spade and Barney in the clump of trees behind the sheriff's house. Barney showed the masked stranger, whom he and Spade thought to be Tad Harrison, the note he had written to be left after the kidnapping. It threatened Betty, the sheriff's daughter, with death unless her father complied with the outlaw's demand that the posse be withdrawn in order to clear their way through Rocky Patch to the pay cache. Then, as the moon hid behind a heavy cloud, the three crept quietly toward

[Barney]

the sheriff's house, bringing their sleep.

[The Lone Ranger]

Yeah.

[Spade]

Ain't no light showing.

[The Lone Ranger]

Stand by this window, Spade. You can watch the inside of the house from here.

[Spade]

Yeah, Marty.

[The Lone Ranger]

Now go around to the front.

[Spade]

Don't be long.

[The Lone Ranger]

Glad you're with me instead of Spade, Barney. You've got more nerve.

[Barney]

Spade's cautious, that's all.

[The Lone Ranger]

Spade would like to collect the cash and the cattle buyer in one piece. Barney.

[Barney]

What do you mean?

[The Lone Ranger]

Remember when we drew lust?

[Barney]

Yeah.

[The Lone Ranger]

Spade made all three strips of paper long.

[Barney]

He did?

[The Lone Ranger]

Yeah. As long as we drew first, he could throw his strip away a brick.

[Barney]

It short.

[The Lone Ranger]

Claim hours were long.

[Barney]

What did he do that for?

[The Lone Ranger]

Well, he wanted to be sure to be chosen for outside duty. This plan fails, it'll be the two of us inside that'll be trapped.

[Barney]

Say, that's Right.

[The Lone Ranger]

Be careful of that loose pole.

[Barney]

Yeah.

[The Lone Ranger]

Come on.

[Barney]

Maybe Spade's freaking a double cross his tad.

[The Lone Ranger]

We'll soon know.

[Barney]

Maybe he's planning on something happening to us.

[The Lone Ranger]

Got gun ready? It is.

[Barney]

Don't worry. I thought Spade would double cross this. That. Riddle me a minute.

[Lefty]

Shh.

[Barney]

What is it?

[The Lone Ranger]

Spade's watching right outside that window.

[Barney]

What do we do?

[The Lone Ranger]

We've got to pass the window to get to the girl's room. Barney.

[Barney]

Yeah?

[The Lone Ranger]

You pass the window first. You hear me whistle? Drop to the floor fast. Will you be watching Spade through the window?

[Barney]

Well, here goes. What happened?

[The Lone Ranger]

Look.

[Barney]

Knife. That double crossing polkat tried to pin me with a knife, huh? I'll show him.

[The Lone Ranger]

Drop it.

[Barney]

Another double cross, eh? Take this.

[The Lone Ranger]

What's going on here? There's a prisoner for you.

[Sheriff Jeff]

Sheriff. Mask.

[The Lone Ranger]

This is one of the men who started the prairie fire.

[Barney]

You ain't settling me out alone, Ted. That double cross of Spade is in this as deep as I am. Don't stand out like a fool, Sheriff. I tell you Spade's outside. He's as gilly as start that fire as I am. Get after him.

[Lefty]

He'll escape.

[The Lone Ranger]

No he won't. Spade's already been taken care of. He didn't double cross you, Barney. You double crossed him. Someone else threw that knife. But you've given the sheriff enough evidence to arrest you both.

[Sheriff Jeff]

I should say he has.

[Barney]

I lied, Sheriff.

[The Lone Ranger]

Why did you come here tonight, Barney?

[Barney]

Why I.

[The Lone Ranger]

You came to kidnap the Sheriff's daughter so he wouldn't prevent you and Spade from claiming the cash for the stolen cattle frame up. I tell this sheriff you'll find proof in Barney's pocket. A note he wrote threatening your daughter with death unless you comply.

[Barney]

Were you manger? What about this hombre, Sheriff Ted Harrison? He didn't do any work but he was willing to share in the cash.

[The Lone Ranger]

I'm not Tad Harrison, Barney.

[Sheriff Jeff]

Of course he ain't.

[Barney]

You said you were.

[The Lone Ranger]

No, no, Barney. You said I was.

[Sheriff Jeff]

You and Spade here's a real Tad Harrison right here.

[Narrator]

He's right, Barney.

[The Lone Ranger]

You won't have any trouble getting Barney to tell you where to find the cattle now Sheriff. Or the gang either.

[Sheriff Jeff]

Mister, I don't know who you are, but I don't mind telling you this case had me stumped. I had a posse searching a patch for hoof prints. But after that dust storm it'd take a miracle for me to find him.

[Barney]

You mean the trail was covered by the dust?

[Sheriff Jeff]

Clean as a whistle.

[Barney]

That low down coyote. The madman knew it all the time.

[Narrator]

Wasting your breath. Barney. He's gone.

[Sheriff Jeff]

Gone? But who is he?

[Narrator]

He's the Lone Ranger.

[Lefty]

Sam.

[Barney]

Sat going on Everyone, it's bluff here

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[Barney]

Sam.

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard is a copyrighted feature of the Lone Ranger Incorporated.

[Andrew Rines]

This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate this episode within your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands, Steve and Tom who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail. 707-986-8739. This episode is copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.

[Lefty]

Foreign.

[The Lone Ranger]

What's up everybody?

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[Bretzky]

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