The desert sun burned brightly in the sky, a slight breeze kicked up the trail dust and a lone traveler rode his horse along the desert plain. As he rode he noticed a marker on the horizon. As he got closer he realized the marker was for a grave. Some cowboy had lost his life here and had been buried in this merciless desert. He paused for a moment to view it. A simple wooden cross with a red bandana tied to its crosspiece. The sandy earth revealed that the grave was recent.
He started to continue his journey when his horse became startled. No matter how hard he tried the horse would not cross the grave. He pulled back, taking a few minutes to calm his agitated horse. Once he was certain the horse was sufficiently calmed, he continued on his way. He was careful to stay clear of the grave. He hoped he would reach the lake before sundown. His canteen was getting low and he needed to bathe.
The traveler approached the small campfire and raised his hands to warm them. The cold water from the lake still chilled him even though it had been hours since he had bathed. The night air was cool and crisp and contrasted the day's earlier heat. The lights from Agua Dulce could be seen on the other side of the lake. He should arrive there by tomorrow.
He pulled the bedroll from his pack and started to settle down for the night. In the distance his horse made a soft noise as if startled. The soft noise grew louder as the horse started to panic. The traveler grabbed his oil lantern and rifle and rushed to investigate.
There was little light coming from the lantern as he approached his panicked horse. He cursed himself silently for not trimming the wick earlier. His presence did little to calm his frightened horse. He made circles around the horse holding the lantern to get the maximum effect. He tried to concentrate but the horse's manner made it difficult. Then he saw the cause of the commotion.
The stranger stepped into the light. He was covered from head to toe in dirt and sand. He had the visage of a madman.
"Mister, you'd better stop right there!" the traveler warned setting his lantern on the ground.
The stranger didn't respond to the warning. He took another step forward.
"Don't make me pull this trigger!"
He took another step. The traveler aimed the rifle and pulled the trigger. The bullet struck the madman squarely in the chest. The stranger took another step and smiled.
"What the?!?" the traveler questioned and fired another round.
The stranger rushed the traveler and knocked the rifle from his hand. Large canine fangs gleamed in his mouth and he was ready to strike his helpless victim. The traveler closed his eyes knowing this was the end. Then he heard the pistol fire.
He opened his eyes and his attacker now had a bullet wound in his forehead. It hadn't stopped him but it did have an effect. A second pistol round struck the madman in the shoulder and he staggered back.
"Tonto, get that man back so I can get a clear shot," said a voice from the darkness.
A gust of wind struck the traveler and he fell to the ground. He heard the report of and third bullet. This one hit the madman in the heart and he instantly transformed into a pile of dust and scattered into the wind.
The traveler turned and saw the extended hand of his savior. He was a tall man with an average build. He wore a white hat and a black mask covered the upper portion of his face. At his waist were a pair of white ivory handled pistols and the belt was covered with silver bullets.
"Did he bite you?" the savior asked.
The traveler shook his head.
The savior nodded.
"Kemo Sabe," came another voice, "I have detected the enemy, Cavendish. He is in the city across the lake."
"Friend," the savior replied, "if you see another one of those creatures, shoot it with one of these." He continued handing the traveler a handful of silver bullets. "Be sure to aim for the heart. Tonto, let's ride."
The savior ran into the darkness and the sound of horse hooves could be heard galloping swiftly toward Agua Dulce.
"Who was that masked man?" the traveler asked.
Two months earlier . . .
John Reid stepped off the train at the Agua Dulce station. He could see his brother Dan standing on the platform.
"Well, if it isn't the Lone Ranger!" Dan called laughing.
"Very funny, Dan," John replied.
"You get everything taken care of?"
"I was almost done when I got your telegram. What's the emergency?"
"I'll fill you in when we get to the saloon. The other Rangers are waiting."
Captain Dan Reid was the leader of a company of Texas Rangers. Companies usually consisted of ten men but recent events had left Dan with only six: John, his younger brother; Samuel Slade; Jeb Stuart Hawk; Nathaniel Twoyoungmen; James Bart; and Michael Colt. Reinforcements had been promised but they had not arrived.
Dan stood in front of his men. "Looks like we got a strange one this time," he began. "The locals have been attacked every night for two weeks. Every morning people are found dead. Then the following morning their graves are robbed."
"What's so strange about grave robbers?" Jeb Hawk asked.
"Because we're not dealing with rich corpses here. Some of these people were only buried with the shirt on their backs and everybody knew it. Whoever is robbing these graves is stealing the bodies."
For a moment the Rangers sat in silence. "The Sheriff believes that a local boy named Butch Cavendish is responsible for the attacks," Dan continued. "Several people claim to have seen him during the attacks. Of course some of the same people are claiming that they saw their dead loved ones."
"So what's the plan, Captain?" Sam Slade inquired.
"First we need to find this Cavendish for questioning. Agua Dulce had a population of 234, now it's 186. If we don't act fast there may not be a town left to save. Ask around town and find out if anyone knows where Cavendish hangs out. Now if you will excuse us my brother and I have business to discuss."
The five Rangers left the two brothers sitting at the table. "So, did you get 'em?" Dan asked.
John nodded setting a wooden box on the table. Dan opened the box and examined the contents.
"Silver bullets," Dan whistled. "Everything set up at the mine?"
John nodded again. "Jim's agreed to take care of the mine and make the bullets for half."
"Half!" Dan gasped. "Shouldn't we split that three ways? After all we do own the mine."
"And he's doing all the work."
Dan nodded. "I know. How many of these do we have?" he asked lifting one of the bullets.
"Two hundred and I told him to make five hundred more and I'd pick them up later. Are the Rangers really going to start using them?"
"Our company will," Dan replied. "The first bullet in every man's revolver will be a silver one. It should help to remind them that taking a human life is always expensive."
It was midnight when the attack hit Agua Dulce. The Rangers awoke to the sound of gunfire.
Jeb Hawk was the first on his feet. "Let's go ladies!" he called. "We've got a job to do!"
Nathaniel Twoyoungmen was next. He silently slapped on his gunbelt and slid into his boots.
The remaining Rangers moved more rapidly when the sound of gunfire increased. They joined Jeb and Nathaniel on the hotel balcony.
"Okay, boys," Dan said immediately taking charge. "Hawk, you and Twoyoungmen stay here. Bart, you and Slade try to get on the livery stable roof across the street. Colt, you and John come with me. We're taking the streets. Any questions? Good! Let's move."
Everyone moved into his position. They all knew not to argue with the Captain. Dan took point. He always did. He seemed to have a natural sense for danger. He always took John with him - though no one was sure whether he was trying to protect John or he just wanted his brother at his back. Michael Colt was usually the other flank. Michael carried a pair of Colt .45's and he never missed.
The three Rangers moved down the street. John and Michael watched the buildings and the alleys to make certain that no one caught them from the side. Dan watched the front and the four Rangers above them were responsible for their backs.
Michael was the first to fire. A man with a rifle was waiting in the alley. The moonlight gleamed off the end of his barrel for a moment. Michael fired both six shooters at the sniper's trigger hand and he dropped his rifle. The sniper rushed him. Michael fired three shots from each revolver into the attacker's chest. He kept coming. John also fired at the sniper with a single round. The sniper stopped for a moment as if the bullet from John's gun had hurt him more than Michael's six. The attacker turned and fled. The three Rangers fired into the alley but he was lost in the darkness.
The Rangers moved back into position. At the end of the street a single man stood waiting. "Watch those sides carefully boys," Dan whispered as they made their way toward the man. "This has ambush written all over it."
John reached into his pockets for bullets to reload his pistols. The moonlight revealed a handful of silver rounds. In his haste he had grabbed the wrong bullets. This is going to be an expensive fight, he thought.
As the three Rangers approached the single man, John saw another figure in the alley. He aimed his sixguns at the target and watched carefully. The hidden man rushed at him and John fired two rounds into the attacker. The attacker vanished in a cloud of dust.
The other two rangers looked at John. "What are you shooting at?" Dan asked.
"There was a man there. I swear."
"Stop shooting at shadows and get moving," Dan replied returning his attention to the lone man at the end of the street. However, when he looked, the loner has disappeared.
The next morning the Rangers met in the saloon to have breakfast. Dan hadn't joined them but left a message he would be there later. The remaining Rangers ate in silence. It was obvious they were spooked by last nights attack. No wanted to admit what they had seen. Michael - who never missed - had fired six rounds into a man and he had walked away. Then John had shot another and he was reduced to a pile of dust. Logic would insist that neither of these had occurred. Yet every Ranger there knew that it had.
Dan entered the saloon with a new man. "Boys, this is Joseph Collins," Dan stated. "The Rangers finally sent a replacement. With any luck we'll be back to ten in no time."
The other Rangers stood to greet the new Ranger and shake his hand.
"How'd you end up pulling duty with us?" Jeb asked.
"I grew up around here," Collins answered. "They figured I could lend a hand with the trouble since I was a local boy."
"And according to Collins here," Dan continued slapping Collins' shoulder, "Butch Cavendish used to hole up in a canyon a few miles south of here. So as soon as we finish breakfast, we're heading out."
It was a little after noon when the Rangers reached the canyon.
"Better leave the horses out here," Collins replied. "It can get really tight in places."
The Rangers dismounted. They each grabbed their packs and canteens and pulled the rifles from the saddle holsters.
"Lead the way, Collins," Dan ordered. "Just be careful."
The other Rangers looked at each other uneasily. Dan never gave up point for anyone. Now this stranger was leading the way. Still, no one argued with the Captain.
The Rangers entered the canyon slowly. Just as Collins had stated the canyon narrowed. They moved silently watching the canyon walls above them. There were no creatures stirring anywhere. This only made them more uneasy.
"The canyon opens up ahead," Collins stated. "I'm going to scout ahead to make sure it's empty."
"Go," Dan replied.
Collins passed around a corner and was gone from the Rangers' sight. He shifted his head nervously making sure none of them had followed him. He followed the right wall of the canyon until he found the opening of a cavern.
"Butch," he hissed. "Are you in here?"
"I'm right here," Butch replied, suddenly appearing. "Did you bring the Rangers?"
"Just like you said," Collins answered.
Butch stepped into the darkness of the cavern. "Hit the plunger," he said flatly.
Outside the Rangers were waiting for Collins to return when the explosion occurred. The walls of the canyon closed in around them. They ran forward to escape the falling rubble. Around the corner was an opening just as Collins had told them, but there was no sign of Collins.
Meanwhile, in the cavern the sound of the explosion covered the gunshot as Cavendish fired on Collins. He fell to the cavern floor.
"Why did you do that?" one of his companions asked.
"He betrayed his own kind. What would prevent him from doing the same to us?"
The Rangers had searched the trail they had entered in and there was doubt that they were trapped. They had found a nook in the canyon to set up camp. Two Rangers stood guard over the remainder of them.
"We've been set up, boys," Dan told the other Rangers. "Nothing we can do about it now. Our best bet is to wait here until morning. And then see if there is another way out of this canyon. I'm betting that the ones attacking Agua Dulce aren't going to close down their only passage."
"Cheer up ladies!" Jeb Hawk replied. "Can't get any worse."
Then the sun went down.
Next issue: The Rangers are in for the fight of their lives and John Reid's life is changed forever.