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Tonto: Tales of the Lone Ranger

Presented by OTRPODS

Step into the untamed frontier with Tonto, a bold new journey into the legendary world of The Lone Ranger.

Through the eyes of the Lone Ranger’s trusted companion, this series revisits the most thrilling, heroic, and unforgettable adventures from one of radio’s greatest Western sagas. Ride alongside justice as masked legends, outlaws, and lawmen collide across dusty trails, hidden canyons, and frontier towns where danger is always just over the horizon. With rich storytelling, restored audio, and timeless performances, Tonto brings these classic tales back to life for a new generation, while honoring the spirit of the originals that captivated millions. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering these stories for the first time, the call of the West is waiting.

Hi-yo Silver… away.

164 episodes

  1. The Town With No Guns

    Jun 25, 2026 · 28 min

    Originally Aired: July 20, 1938 The Lone Ranger #855, "The Town With No Guns," the masked rider and Tonto arrive in Wellsville, a peculiar settlement founded by Easterner Zeb Wells. The town operates under strict rules enforced by Marshal Nate Porter: all visitors must surrender their guns, and no fraternization is allowed between Wells' Eastern settlers and Westerners. Zeb Wells maintains an iron grip on the community, keeping residents' money in his personal safe and forbidding his daughter Rita from courting Cliff Dolan, a local rancher. The Lone Ranger grows concerned when he spots notorious outlaws Dorf Layton and Monty Meegan riding into town, suspecting they may know about the cash Wells keeps unprotected. As tensions rise, young Cliff Dolan confronts Zeb Wells in his general store, declaring his intention to marry Rita despite her father's prejudice against Westerners. The confrontation turns violent when Wells threatens Cliff with a whip. Meanwhile, Tonto shadows the outlaws to discover their true intentions, while the Lone Ranger prepares to confront Wells about the danger his stubborn Eastern customs have brought to this frontier town.

  2. The Crawford Sisters

    Jun 24, 2026 · 29 min

    Originally Aired: July 18, 1938 The Lone Ranger #854, "The Crawford Sisters," two young women from Louisiana arrive in the West to join their Uncle Dan at the Bar Square Ranch, only to receive shocking news during their stagecoach journey. A fellow passenger, the wealthy rancher Pablo Vernado, informs Molly and Betty Crawford that their uncle has died under mysterious circumstances and that his ranch is suspected of harboring stolen cattle. Vernado ominously hints that he may have legal claims against the Bar Square himself. Meanwhile, the Lone Ranger and Tonto conduct their own investigation of the ranch and discover something suspicious: hundreds of cattle bearing Pablo's brand are scattered across Bar Square land, yet the brands appear unchanged. The masked rider, who knew Dan Crawford as an honest man, grows suspicious of Pablo's involvement and his convenient claims. When they encounter armed half-breeds working the ranch and spot what appear to be Pablo's men from across the border, the Lone Ranger realizes the Crawford sisters may be walking into a dangerous trap involving their uncle's disappearance and a scheme to steal their inheritance.

  3. The Horse With The Cross J Brand

    Jun 23, 2026 · 30 min

    Originally Aired: July 15, 1938 The Lone Ranger #853, "The Horse With The Cross J Brand," When Sue Mulvey's prized horse Midnight is stolen by the same rustler who's been plaguing her father Jeb's Cross J Ranch, the 60-year-old rancher finally catches a break. After hearing Midnight's distress, Jeb discovers the thief's footprints in the muddy ground and carefully preserves them from the rain. But before he can share what he suspects with Sue, a bullet crashes through the window, striking him in the shoulder. Convinced the rustler was watching and shot to silence him, Sue races through the storm to fetch Doc Seely and the sheriff, desperately fearing her father is dying. Meanwhile, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, camped beside the trail during the storm, hear Sue's frantic ride and split up to help—the Ranger following her while Tonto backtracks to the ranch. When Sue returns with Doc Seely, the sheriff, and his deputies, they make a startling discovery: despite his wound, Jeb Mulvey has vanished from the ranch house, and the mystery deepens as to where he's gone and who tried to kill him.

  4. Signed Confession

    Jun 22, 2026 · 28 min

    Originally Aired: July 13, 1938 The Lone Ranger #852, "Signed Confession," a deadly conspiracy threatens to cost an innocent rancher everything. When old Laif Catlett dies and leaves his Box B ranch to his son Larry, the young man finds himself framed for the murder of Bill Sweeney. Larry flees the district, but his uncle Jake Brimmer quickly takes control of the ranch. What Larry doesn't know is that Jake has made a sinister bargain with Sheriff Walt Travis, who witnessed Jake commit the actual murder and forced him to sign a confession. The sheriff promises to keep the document secret in exchange for half the ranch once Larry is hanged and Jake gains full ownership. Three months later, Larry returns to River City determined to confront his crooked uncle and the corrupt sheriff, but his plan backfires when he's spotted, shot in the shoulder, and thrown in jail. The sheriff refuses to let Larry speak to anyone, and Jake hints at a new scheme to permanently eliminate his nephew. When the Lone Ranger arrives and secretly visits Larry's cell, he learns the young man's desperate situation. Soon Larry finds himself sharing a cell with another prisoner named Clegg, who claims to have stolen the deputy's keys and offers a chance at escape.

  5. The Wrong Pete Lorenzo

    Jun 21, 2026 · 29 min

    Originally Aired: July 11, 1938 The Lone Ranger #851, "The Wrong Pete Lorenzo," finds the masked rider and Tonto arriving in Carson City just as chaos erupts. The town banker has been murdered during a robbery, and a witness named Felden claims to have seen the notorious killer Pete Lorenzo fleeing the scene. Felden provides a detailed description of the outlaw—a man with long, straggly hair and a distinctive limp from a bullet wound in his leg, riding a chestnut horse. Sheriff Connard quickly organizes a posse, with Felden riding along to identify the killer when they find him. The Lone Ranger and Tonto follow at a distance, suspicious of the situation. As the posse searches the countryside, the masked man questions how Felden could be the only living witness to Pete Lorenzo when the killer's reputation suggests he leaves no one alive to identify him. When Felden leads a small group including Sheriff Connard to a campfire where they believe they've cornered Lorenzo, the Lone Ranger's doubts about the witness's story deepen, suggesting something more sinister may be unfolding.

  6. Half A Claim

    Jun 20, 2026 · 29 min

    Originally Aired: July 8, 1938 The Lone Ranger #850, "Half A Claim," begins when young prospector Jim Rockwell returns to his Uncle Ike's home with exciting news: he's discovered a rich gold strike. Concerned about his idle, dissipated cousin Matt, who spends his days gambling and drinking, Jim makes a generous offer. He proposes taking Matt back to the claim as a partner, hoping that honest work and the promise of wealth will reform him. Uncle Ike is grateful but skeptical, knowing Matt's troublesome nature all too well. Meanwhile, the Lone Ranger and Tonto observe the cousins' arrival in the remote gold country, noting that the shack they're building sits dangerously beneath unstable rocks on a hillside. As Jim and Matt settle in to begin their mining operation, tension quickly develops between the hardworking Jim and the lazy, hot-tempered Matt. Matt smokes nervously and grows suspicious, even accusing Jim of tricking him about the claim's value. Jim has done most of the work building their shack while Matt contributed little, and he's rapidly losing patience with his cousin's "onry cussedness." With the Lone Ranger watching from afar and Matt's volatile temperament threatening to explode, trouble seems inevitable at this isolated mining camp.

  7. When The Blind See

    Jun 19, 2026 · 29 min

    Originally Aired: July 4, 1938 The Lone Ranger #848, "When The Blind See," trouble brews in Big Bend as an Eastern syndicate attempts to seize settler land based on an old land grant. The Lone Ranger and Tonto arrive at the stagecoach station hoping to meet a government representative who will announce the official decision settling the dispute. Philip Randolph, the shrewd and dishonest syndicate agent, has been pressuring discouraged settlers to sell their property for a fraction of its worth, claiming the government will rule against them. Only Amos Drake, the settlers' leader, keeps them from giving in to Randolph's schemes. At the station, a shocking discovery unfolds when Sam, the beloved longtime stagecoach driver, is revealed to be blind. Despite his remarkable ability to drive the familiar horses on their regular route, station manager John Perry reluctantly dismisses him. Randolph arranges for Joe Lieber, a questionable character, to replace Sam as driver. When the government man finally arrives on the Kenwood stage, the Lone Ranger and Tonto suspect foul play as Joe deliberately diverts the coach off the main trail, clearly part of Randolph's plot to prevent the settlers from learning the truth about the government's decision.

  8. The Secret Land

    Jun 18, 2026 · 29 min

    Originally Aired: July 1, 1938 The Lone Ranger #847, "The Secret Land," finds settlers lined up at the boundary of newly opened homestead territory, waiting for the cannon signal to stake their claims. Aaron Stewart and his wife Mary have made the long journey from the East, with Aaron planning to partner with Tom Granville to claim prime land Aaron scouted earlier. Mary warns her husband not to trust Granville, suspecting he still holds a grudge over her choosing Aaron years before. Her fears prove justified when Granville suddenly demands immediate payment on a two hundred dollar loan, seizing Aaron's horses when he cannot pay and leaving the couple stranded while claiming the choice land for himself. As desperate Aaron moves from wagon to wagon begging for help, his fellow settlers refuse to spare horses or assistance, each focused on their own claims in tomorrow's land rush. With Mary ill from the hard journey and no way to move their wagon, the Stewarts face being abandoned on the prairie while everyone else races for homesteads at dawn. The couple's dreams of a new life seem crushed by Granville's calculated betrayal.

  9. Three Against Geronimo

    Jun 17, 2026 · 28 min

    Originally Aired: June 29, 1938 In The Lone Ranger #846, "Three Against Geronimo," the masked rider and Tonto discover the feared Apache chief Geronimo leading a war dance in a remote valley. When they realize a major attack is being planned, Tonto infiltrates the gathering to learn the details of Geronimo's strategy. The wily chief, known as the Red Fox, reveals a cunning plan to approach Fort Custer under the guise of peace, carrying a peace pipe while concealing weapons beneath blankets. Once inside the fort's walls, the warriors will attack from within while the gates are opened for reinforcements, allowing Geronimo to seize the soldiers' guns and ammunition. Armed with this critical intelligence, the Lone Ranger rides to Fort Custer to warn Captain Ruddy and his aide Peterson. Despite initial hostility and demands that he remove his mask, the Lone Ranger insists on speaking with the commander privately. With the fort's garrison of 123 men already weakened by dwindling food supplies and facing overwhelming odds of ten to one, the masked man must convince the skeptical captain to trust his information and prepare for Geronimo's treacherous deception before it's too late.

  10. Deal For Soldiers A

    Jun 16, 2026 · 29 min

    Originally Aired: June 27, 1938 The Lone Ranger #845, "Deal For Soldiers A," The Lone Ranger and Tonto are tracking the notorious Bull Kremer and his gang through the Blackfoot Hills when a massive explosion rocks the narrow mountain trail. They soon discover that Kremer has used blasting powder to trigger an avalanche, trapping a military detachment led by Lieutenant Jack Harris. The soldiers are carrying over $40,000 in Army payroll and funds for the Indian agent at Clear Lake. Sergeant Trask and his men find themselves caught between the impassable rockslide ahead and Kremer's gang closing in from behind. Bull Kremer's carefully planned ambush succeeds as his outlaws overwhelm the soldiers and seize the cash. In a ruthless move, Kremer takes Lieutenant Harris hostage to prevent pursuit, warning Sergeant Trask that any shots fired will result in the lieutenant's death. Just as the situation grows desperate, the Lone Ranger and Tonto arrive on the scene. With the outlaws escaping up a hidden gully to the clifftop and a hostage's life hanging in the balance, the masked rider must organize a pursuit before Kremer reaches the safety of the Badlands.

  11. Lone Ranger Thief

    Jun 15, 2026 · 30 min

    Originally Aired: June 24, 1938 The Lone Ranger #844, "Lone Ranger Thief," a mysterious masked man riding a white horse is robbing prospectors and miners around Medicine Bowl of their gold and savings. When Tonto visits Lige Potter's general store, he learns that blacksmith Jim Blackwell has offered a $500 reward for any Indian, dead or alive, believing Tonto travels with the thief. The evidence seems damning: witnesses have seen the masked rider, and when Sandy Town was shot at, the bullet recovered was solid silver, just like those the Lone Ranger uses. However, Lige Potter and Sheriff Emerson have their doubts about the Lone Ranger's guilt, particularly since the legendary marksman somehow missed his target. The real Lone Ranger and Tonto, camped nearby, learn they're being blamed for crimes they didn't commit. The clue of the silver bullet intrigues the masked rider, since he knows he didn't fire it. As more robberies occur and tension mounts in Medicine Bowl, an angry mob led by Jim Blackwell confronts Sheriff Emerson, demanding action. The Lone Ranger must find the real thief and prove his innocence before the vigilantes catch up with him.

  12. Food For Valley Center

    Jun 14, 2026 · 30 min

    Originally Aired: June 20, 1938 The Lone Ranger #842, "Food For Valley Center," finds the masked rider and Tonto investigating corruption at an Army post distributing flood relief supplies. When melting snow and floodwaters devastate several communities near the Northfield Army post, the government sends food and supplies for those in need. However, Lieutenant Spade Calhoun, temporarily in charge during Captain Curtis's absence, has partnered with a civilian named Squint Merkel to profit from desperate flood victims. Merkel intercepts people on the trail to the fort, convincing them to pay cash for food he claims is set aside for him, though the victims still receive their rations at the fort anyway. The situation escalates when Dell Sturgis arrives from Valley Center seeking food for his entire town. After confronting Calhoun about the scheme and threatening to expose both him and Merkel to the captain, Sturgis becomes a target. Calhoun orders Merkel to silence Sturgis permanently, but the Lone Ranger and Tonto intercept Dell on the trail before violence can occur. Now the masked man must stop the corrupt lieutenant's operation and ensure the flood victims receive the help they desperately need.

  13. Gunning For The Sheriff

    Jun 13, 2026 · 30 min

    Originally Aired: June 17, 1938 The Lone Ranger #841, "Gunning For The Sheriff," brings the masked rider and Tonto to the town of Winford, where they encounter a dangerous situation involving escaped prisoners and a targeted lawman. Dan Cooley and Wolf Brandt break out of Sheriff Greg Morgan's jail with help from an accomplice named Red. During the escape, Wolf shoots Deputy Judd in the back despite Dan's protests. Dan has been condemned to hang for the murder of old man Bailey, a crime he insists he didn't commit. The only evidence supporting his innocence is a mysterious letter bearing the name Clem Rabb, which Dan believes was dropped by the real killer. However, both escaped prisoners have deadly intentions toward Sheriff Morgan. As a posse pursues the fugitives into the hills, the Lone Ranger and Tonto make camp near Winford, unaware of the violent jailbreak. The next morning, they encounter a wounded man who turns out to be a former sheriff now serving as deputy. With Dan Cooley sworn to gun down Sheriff Morgan in what he claims will be a fair fight, and Wolf Brandt equally determined to eliminate the only witness to his rustling charge, the masked rider faces a dangerous situation where truth and justice hang in the balance.

  14. The Banker Reforms

    Jun 11, 2026 · 29 min

    Originally Aired: June 15, 1938 The Lone Ranger #840, "The Banker Reforms," ruthless banker Martin Gates holds mortgages on nearly every home in Three Corners, and when a poor cattle year makes it impossible for ranchers to meet their payments, he forecloses without mercy. The Lone Ranger and Tonto arrive hoping to help the poverty-stricken townspeople, knowing that if given time to drive their cattle north where prices are better, the ranchers could pay their debts and save their homes. Meanwhile, two familiar Confederate veterans, Bolivar Bates and Hacksaw Hastings, show up at the sheriff's office with a scheme to help the town by running a poker game and paying a percentage of their winnings to the community. The masked rider discovers that Bolivar and Hacksaw plan to take on Martin Gates himself at the card table, using a bankroll padded with worthless Confederate money to appear prosperous. As the Lone Ranger questions the sheriff about whose side he's really on, the stage is set for a confrontation that will determine whether Gates continues his stranglehold on Three Corners or finally learns a lesson about justice and mercy.

  15. Snake Oil

    May 3, 2026 · 30 min

    Originally Aired: June 13, 1938 The Lone Ranger #839, "Snake Oil," follows the masked rider and Tonto as they investigate a traveling medicine show run by the cunning Doc Stubbs. Stubbs operates a clever scheme, selling worthless snake oil tonic while warning crowds about pickpockets. His real plan is more sinister: when concerned customers check their pockets to make sure their money is safe, Stubbs' accomplice Sneed identifies which victims are worth robbing. After the show, Stubbs targets Jim Kendall, a rancher who just received payment for his cattle and foolishly purchased a whole case of the tonic. The Lone Ranger observes Stubbs' methods carefully, staying hidden at the edge of the crowd to avoid revealing his identity. When Jim Kendall and his wife Marthy consume the snake oil, they quickly become drowsy and fall into a deep sleep. That night, Doc Stubbs and Sneed approach the Kendall home with criminal intent, unaware that the masked man and Tonto are secretly following them. The stage is set for the Lone Ranger to intervene and stop these traveling thieves from stealing Jim Kendall's cattle money.

  16. The Clue Of The Lazy Y

    May 2, 2026 · 30 min

    Originally Aired: June 10, 1938 In The Lone Ranger #838, "The Clue Of The Lazy Y," the masked rider and Tonto discover the body of a murdered man on the trail near Cranston. Shot from long range by rifle fire, the victim managed to write a dying message identifying his killers as Ed Scott and Lefty Cullen, along with the mysterious words "the lazy Y" before death claimed him. The only other identification is a partial letter signed by Jim Bayer. With the victim's pockets suspiciously empty and the killers having a several-day head start, the Lone Ranger has few leads to follow. Meanwhile, Ed Scott and his accomplice Lefty Cullen have already arrived at the Lazy Y Ranch in Texas with the stolen papers they took from their victim. Posing as Jim Bayer himself, Scott produces marriage licenses and legal documents that convince Sheriff Bill Landis he is the legitimate owner. Catherine Bayer, the ranch owner's daughter, reluctantly accepts this stranger as her long-absent father, even as Scott announces his intention to sell the ranch. The Lone Ranger and Tonto must now ride to the Lazy Y to uncover the truth and bring these cold-blooded killers to justice.

  17. The Ranger Impersonates

    May 1, 2026 · 29 min

    Originally Aired: June 8, 1938 The Lone Ranger #837, "The Ranger Impersonates," the masked man finds himself mistaken for a criminal conspirator when outlaw Butch Larson intercepts him on the trail. Believing the Ranger to be their contact, Larson reveals a plot to kidnap Captain Carter at North Pass and steal military secrets from his dispatch case. When the Ranger's true identity is discovered, he narrowly escapes in a blazing gunfight and races to warn the army officer. Despite Captain Carter's protests, the Ranger convinces him of the danger and borrows his uniform, horse, and identity to infiltrate the gang. Disguised as Captain Carter, the Lone Ranger allows himself to be captured by outlaws Merton and Snake Handson at North Pass. The criminals rope and bind their prisoner, believing they have the real captain in their custody. As they escort him to a hidden cave, the outlaws reveal a sinister twist: they're holding Carter's daughter Sally hostage to force his cooperation in turning over the government plans. The Ranger now faces the dangerous task of maintaining his disguise while protecting both the military secrets and an innocent woman's life.

  18. The Silver Spur

    Apr 30, 2026 · 30 min

    Originally Aired: June 6, 1938 The Lone Ranger #836, "The Silver Spur," centers on Sandy Tyndale, a young man who has served two years in prison for shooting a crooked gambler in self-defense. The Lone Ranger, who originally brought Sandy in to face justice, promised to meet him when he was released and believes the young man has learned his lesson. However, when the stagecoach arrives in Pendleton, Sandy is nowhere to be found. Instead, the driver Abe Carter lies dead, five thousand dollars meant for banker Pottle's bank has been stolen, and one of Sandy's distinctive silver spurs is discovered caught in the stagecoach seat. Despite Sheriff Burt Gordon's faith in the young man and his daughter Lenore's heartbreak over her sweetheart's apparent betrayal, the evidence seems damning. The Lone Ranger refuses to believe Sandy has broken his word and turned to murder and robbery. Along with Tonto, he sets out to find Sandy before a lynch mob can form, heading to the same cave hideout where Sandy fled years before. The masked man knows that if Sandy is innocent, someone has deliberately framed him, and without help, the young ex-convict will never survive long enough to face a fair trial.

  19. Woman In Hacksaw A

    Apr 29, 2026 · 31 min

    Originally Aired: June 3, 1938 The Lone Ranger #835, "Woman In Hacksaw A," finds two irresponsible Civil War veterans, Hacksaw Hastings and Bolivar Bates, in trouble once again. Hacksaw boasts about the fortune he and Bolivar earned collecting taxes in Las Palmas County while sitting in Pete Greer's Acme Restaurant in Bensonville. His bragging catches the attention of waitress Aggie McGuire and Bart Sidney, and when Pete Greer slaps Aggie for chatting with customers instead of working, Hacksaw rushes to her defense. The confrontation quickly escalates into a violent brawl that leaves the restaurant wrecked. The Lone Ranger intervenes just in time to help Hacksaw and Aggie escape before things get worse, warning Hacksaw to stay out of trouble. However, trouble follows them as Pete Greer rides out to the cabin where Bolivar is staying, demanding payment for the extensive damages to his establishment. With Hacksaw accused of running off with Aggie and owing a hundred dollars in damages, Bolivar must decide how to handle the situation while his partner remains mysteriously absent.

  20. Oil Lease Swindle

    Apr 28, 2026 · 30 min

    Originally Aired: June 1, 1938 The Lone Ranger #834, "Oil Lease Swindle," takes listeners to the booming Texas oil fields, where tensions run high between old-world ranchers and opportunistic speculators. Stonewall Gregory, a stubborn horse breeder, fiercely refuses to lease any portion of his Box G Ranch, particularly the north hundred acres, despite offers reaching $10,000. When two eastern oil men arrive at his door, Stonewall greets them with a shotgun, convinced that oil development will ruin his prized grazing land and the special creek water that makes his colts the finest in the southwest. His wife Martha tries to reason with him about the poor-quality northern pasture, but Stonewall remains unmovable, threatening to shoot any oil man who sets foot on his property. The Lone Ranger and Tonto become involved when Tonto guides the easterners to Stonewall's ranch and later overhears their conversation. Reporting back to the masked man, Tonto reveals a disturbing truth: the oil men are crooks planning to obtain the lease but never pay for it. While the Lone Ranger initially believed the offer was legitimate and could help Stonewall through a difficult economic transition, he now realizes the rancher's stubborn resistance may have accidentally protected him from a dangerous swindle.

  21. The Rosalinda Mine

    Apr 27, 2026 · 30 min

    Originally Aired: May 30, 1938 The Lone Ranger #833, "The Rosalinda Mine," the Masked Rider and Tonto encounter Abe Chetwick on the plains after he's been forced to shoot his injured horse. Abe is traveling to Medicine Flats to hire gunmen who can force Ned Flavin to confess to murdering Dave Carter and stealing his gold claim, the Rosalinda Mine. Dave's widow, Molly, is Abe's daughter, and both believe Flavin either killed Dave himself or had him murdered after jumping his rightful claim. Though Abe offers to hire the Lone Ranger's guns, the masked man refuses, insisting that justice cannot be carried out through hired violence. Meanwhile, Flavin confronts Molly at her home, warning her to stop spreading accusations against him. He claims he legally filed the Rosalinda claim and has witnesses to prove it, denying he ever saw Dave the night of his disappearance. When Molly strikes him with a bull whip and refuses to be intimidated, Flavin issues a threatening warning before leaving. As tensions escalate, Abe begins recruiting gunmen in town, determined to extract a confession from Flavin by force, setting the stage for a violent confrontation.

  22. Border Rustlers

    Apr 26, 2026 · 30 min

    Originally Aired: May 27, 1938 The Lone Ranger #832, "Border Rustlers," the masked rider and Tonto find themselves investigating a ruthless rustling operation that has plagued Black Hawk Valley for three years. Rancher Clay Remsen is losing hundreds of cattle to thieves who drive stolen herds through the rocky canyons of the hills, where the hardened lava floors leave no trail to follow. After rustlers strike again, stealing 400 head from Remsen's range, Sheriff Dave and the local ranchers find themselves helpless to track the criminals. Frustrated by the lawmen's failures, Remsen declares he will fight the rustlers alone and begins buying out his desperate neighbors who can no longer sustain their losses. By chance, the Lone Ranger and Tonto camp beside one of the canyons just as rustlers drive a stolen herd past them in the darkness. Recognizing the opportunity, the masked man and his faithful companion follow the cattle throughout the night and into the next day, determined to discover who receives the stolen stock across the border and ultimately unmask the mastermind behind the rustling operation that threatens to destroy Black Hawk Valley's honest ranchers.

  23. The Word Of A Soldier

    Apr 25, 2026 · 29 min

    Originally Aired: May 25, 1938 The Lone Ranger #831, "The Word Of A Soldier," retired Colonel Marberry welcomes Lieutenant Bart Benson to his ranch as the son of an old army friend. The smooth-talking Benson quickly ingratiates himself with the aging, wounded Colonel, taking over ranch operations and systematically removing anyone who might stand in his way. When foreman Lem questions Benson's authority, the schemer plants seeds of doubt with the Colonel, falsely suggesting romantic entanglements and disloyalty. The Colonel, placing blind faith in "the word of a soldier," sides with Benson against both Lem and his own daughter Betty. As Benson consolidates power, he fires loyal ranch hands and replaces them with his own men. When Lem suddenly disappears, the household maid Chiquita reveals a dark truth to Betty: the foreman didn't simply quit but was murdered by Benson's henchmen. Now held prisoner in her own home by armed guards, Betty realizes the full extent of Benson's sinister plan to marry her, take control of the ranch, and possibly eliminate her father. The Lone Ranger and Tonto race toward the Marberry ranch as the danger escalates.

  24. Cottonwood Dam

    Apr 24, 2026 · 29 min

    Originally Aired: May 23, 1938 The Lone Ranger #830, "Cottonwood Dam," A wagon train led by old Peter Ridley faces internal strife as it approaches the fork where the Oregon Trail and Santa Fe Trail divide. Ridley's former friend Amos Carver has grown increasingly antagonistic, encouraged by scout Sam Dougal's subtle manipulation. When Ridley forbids the senseless killing of buffalo for sport, Carver openly defies him and declares that half the party will follow his leadership instead. The two men agree to split the wagon train at the fork, with each group choosing a different trail. Unknown to both leaders, their conflict is no accident. Meanwhile, Tonto has been spying on a group of outlaws posing as trappers in the nearby hills, led by a man named Rick Logan. The criminals have planted Sam Dougal with the wagon train to deliberately sow discord between Ridley and Carver. When Buck, one of the outlaws, spots movement in the bushes, he shoots Tonto, and the faithful companion is captured. As the outlaws discuss their scheme to exploit the divided wagon train, they must now decide what to do with their unexpected prisoner.

  25. Confederate Money

    Apr 23, 2026 · 29 min

    Originally Aired: May 20, 1938 The Lone Ranger #829, "Confederate Money," finds two ragged Confederate veterans, Bolivar Bates and Hacksaw Hawkins, down on their luck after the Civil War with nothing but worthless Confederate paper money and empty stomachs. When the Lone Ranger and Tonto encounter the hungry soldiers on the trail, they share a meal and suggest the men apply for a dangerous job: collecting federal taxes in Las Palmas County, where previous collectors have met violent ends. The ranchers, bitter Confederate sympathizers, refuse to pay the hated Yankee government. The Lone Ranger devises a clever plan to help the veterans succeed. When Bolivar and Hacksaw receive the tax collector assignment from Commissioner Clint Bradley, the masked man and Tonto ride ahead to the first ranch on their route. At Barnaby Lee's property, the Lone Ranger poses as a bandit and demands Lee's hidden gold at gunpoint. Just as the old soldiers arrive to collect taxes, Lee finds himself in a precarious situation with the masked man lurking in the shadows, turning what seemed like an impossible task into an unexpectedly cooperative encounter.