Best Laid Plans | The Lone Ranger (08-06-41)

Old Time Radio Westerns

In this classic episode of 'The Lone Ranger,' the masked hero and his loyal companion Tonto race toward Wildfern after spotting a fire in the distance, suspecting an Indian raid. Upon arrival, they discover that the town has

Key takeaways

• Silver's behavior reveals a deep connection to his homeland, suggesting he may be seeking freedom or returning to his roots.

Main topics

• Frontier justice
• Deception and disguise

Notable quotes

"You want to leave me, boy? Nuzzle you. Him not want to leave you."

Conclusion

The Lone Ranger and Tonto successfully thwart the outlaws' scheme, rescue their

Transcript preview

Speaker 3 (0:15) 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. The Speaker 1 (0:54) speed of light, the cloud of dust, and a hearty high old silver, the Lone Ranger. Speaker 1 (2:39) He faced the dangers of the early western United States. And throughout the new territory, none could match the courage of the masked rider of the plains. He led the fight for justice over overwhelming odds. He united the settlers against outlaws and hostile Indians. It was he more than any other man who brought law and order to the lawless frontier. Return with us now to those thrilling days when the West was young. From out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again. Come on, Silver! Speaker 8 (3:09) We're heading for Wildfern. Tonto's waiting for us. The Speaker 1 (3:25) Lone Ranger and Tonto had reigned up in a grove of cottonwoods about 20 miles from the little town of Wildfern. The masked man had lifted a saddle from Silver's back and was preparing to rub him down when the great stallion broke away. Steady there, boy. Did you see that, Tonto? No. Speaker 2 (3:44) Plenty funny. He's trembling. What's the matter, Silver? Don't you want to rub down tonight? Now him stand all right? I think I'll take a look at his shoes. He may have a stone wedged in his hoof or... Easy, boy. Do not act like that afore. Steady, fellow. Plenty funny. There's nothing wrong with his hoof or the shoe. He isn't lame. I can't understand it. Him tired, maybe. This moon and moon afore we ride many mile. That may be it. We have been covering a lot of ground and... Otto, there's one thing I've noticed. I wonder if it means anything. What's that? Whenever we ride toward the west, he seems to be ready and willing. If our trail lies to the east, it's hard to keep him headed in the right direction. Speaker 5 (4:28) Him look Speaker 2 (4:29) to west now? Yes. If it weren't for my command, I think he'd break away and race across the plain. Oh, him not leave you. You know what lies to the west? Wildfern, not far. Hundreds of miles beyond Wildfern. That's where Mustang Mag have ranch. Even beyond their ranch. Speaker 2 (4:49) Where'd you find Silver? His home. The place where he was born. Could it be that he wants his freedom? You want to leave me, boy? Nuzzle you. Him not want to leave you. We're partners, aren't we, fella? But still, there's something wrong. It must be that he needs a rest. We'll see that you have it, Silver. What you mean? We'll head for Mag's Ranch, and when we get there, we'll turn Silver loose on the range. Not plenty good idea. You've earned a rest, old boy, and you'll... What matter? The sun went down an hour ago. That red glare in the sky. It's not from sun. It's fire. And that's just about where Wildfern is. Maybe Indian. Plenty Apache around here. Saddle up. We've Speaker 7 (5:33) got your rest. There's work to be done tonight. Might be that band we heard about at Diamond Falls, Tonto. They're racing to town after dark. Set fire to a few places. And when the settlers run to the church, the schoolhouse, they loot their homes. Half-breach, Mike. Are you ready? Speaker 8 (5:48) Get Speaker 7 (5:49) him up, Scout. Come on, Speaker 8 (5:50) Silver. Speaker 1 (6:03) And meanwhile, in the little town of Wild Fern. Speaker 8 (6:06) Injured! Savages! They're Speaker 1 (6:07) in the town. Speaker 8 (6:08) I'll Speaker 1 (6:08) get Speaker 8 (6:08) the rifles. Look. Look out there. More fire arrows. Injured! The Speaker 6 (6:12) Hanford place is done for. Hurry, it's Steve and Jake. Take the south window, Steve. Let them have it. Don't close the door yet. Hanford's coming right behind us. Here he comes. Hanford's place is going up in smoke, Bates. I've seen it. Shut the door. Shut the door behind me and lock it. We've got to keep those savages out of here. Which window will I take, Bates? That one. And keep the lead flying. All right, come Speaker 8 (6:36) on. Speaker 8 (6:49) It's hard to see by the moon, but it is. Masked man in an engine. I'll give him what, sir. Blow her that gun. Rain up or I'll blow you into kingdom come. You don't need that. We're friends. Friends? None of the men are left around here, but I can handle skunks like you. What do you mean none of Speaker 2 (7:03) the men are left? Speaker 8 (7:03) They're riding after the rest of your gang, and they'll bring them back, too. Now get out of your saddles and reach for the sky. Speaker 2 (7:07) You'll make big mistake. This Lone Ranger. Speaker 8 (7:10) The Lone Ranger? Speaker 2 (7:11) We want to help you. Speaker 8 (7:12) Oh, mister. Then ride after the boys and help them bring those crooks in. Which Speaker 7 (7:15) way did they go? Speaker 8 (7:16) Straight out of town to the west. Come on, Speaker 7 (7:17) Silver. Speaker 8 (7:18) Look at Speaker 2 (7:34) the trail. There's something strange here. Huh? Plenty horse turn off trail. Plenty more go straight on. Could it be that the Indians turned off and the posse didn't catch the sign? No. Indian pony go on. And the posse turned aside. Huh. There's only one explanation for that. Then take cover to right. They could have seen us coming from this ridge. And wait for us. Then think us out all night. Steady, boy. Silver not want to stay. It better we ride on ahead of posse. Follow Indian ourself, huh? Speaker 7 (7:59) Not until I've had Speaker 2 (8:00) a talk with our leader. Speaker 6 (8:00) Stay where you are. Don't make a move. Speaker 2 (8:02) Really? Speaker 6 (8:06) Keep guns on them, boys. Hey, but you... One's a redskin. Where's the rest of the pack? The masked man's the leader, right enough. There was a mob of them in town. Speaker 7 (8:13) Let's take the two and string them up. Take it easy. Let Bates do the talking. So you're the leader of the posse, Bates? Speaker 6 (8:18) Yeah, and I reckon you led the raid on Wildfern. Speaker 7 (8:21) We were 20 miles away. Speaker 6 (8:22) That's a likely story. They're the ones all right. Well, you heard there was a white man leading the redskins? Speaker 7 (8:26) Well, there he is. Bates. Well? You're mistaken. We were camped 20 miles to the east of Wildfern. We'd heard about the band of Indians with a breed for a leader. And when we saw the glare in the sky, we knew what was happening. I'll show you, Dad. They were right there. We rode to town as fast as we could. But, of course, the raid was all over when we got there. We followed your trail this far, and then... Speaker 6 (8:44) And Speaker