In this episode of All Star Western Theater, we are transported to the open ranges of the West with Foy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage. The episode opens with a musical performance that captures the essence of cowboy life, from the longing to ride the open range to the tender strains of romance in "Remember Me." The music sets the stage for a tale of adventure and suspense in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, where the Riders are on a mission to track down a killer mountain lion threatening the Crystal Lakes Ranch. As the snow falls, the tension rises, leading to a dramatic confrontation with the beast.
The story takes a surprising turn when a young boy, Tommy, is found safe after a harrowing encounter with the mountain lion. The episode concludes with reflections on the beauty and danger of the wild, and a renewed appreciation for the Western way of life. Interspersed with classic Western songs and tales of the range, this episode offers a nostalgic look at the cowboy's world, enriched by the timeless melodies of the Riders of the Purple Sage. Join us for a journey through the rugged landscapes and heartfelt stories of the American West.
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Unknown:
The bakers of Weber's Bread present your all star western theater. Recorded earlier for release at this time.
[00:00:10] Unknown:
Drifting along, singing a song under a western moon.
[00:00:18] Unknown:
From Hollywood comes your all star western theater, starring America's great western singers, boy willing and the riders of the Purple Sage, bringing you the stories and the spirit of the great open spaces. And now, here are the riders of the Purple Sage.
[00:00:33] Unknown:
I wanna ride my pony over the prairie out on the open rain. Hurting the cattle, dusty and weary out on the open rain. I wanna see the sunset over the mountains, leaving the moon so plain. I wanna hit the saddle, hurting lazy cattle on the open rain. I wanna hear the wind blow over my campfire, brushing the smoke away. Rolling my blanket there by the campfire, waiting the break off day. I wanna see the dawn break there in the morning, making me feel so strange. I get my pal together, then we hit the ladder out on the open rain. Hello, friends. It's a pleasure for all of us to be back with you again, singing especially for you our western song.
And I have a particular one in mind right now, a song full of tender but disappointed romance. It's been a favorite for some time now, and I hope you'll enjoy hearing Remember Me. The sweetest songs belong to lovers in the moment.
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The sweetest days are the days that used to be.
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The saddest words I ever heard were words of party.
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When you say, sweetheart, remember me. Remember me when the candle lights are gleaming. I'm dreaming, just to know you still remember me.
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You told me once that you were mine alone forever, and I was yours till the end of eternity.
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Remember me when the candle lights are gleaming. Remember me at the close of a long, long day. It would be so sweet when all alone I'm dreaming just to know you still remember me.
[00:04:12] Unknown:
As we've had a great number of songs and ballads which have come down to us from the early days of the West, the cowboy always found something to sing about. He sang about his loneliness, his sweethearts, his horse, life on the range. There's even a song about food, free holy beans. Perhaps if any cowboy had been lucky enough to get a loaf of Weber's bread, there'd be a song about this western favorite too. It's easy to sing praises of bread as good as Weber's, its freshness, its satisfying flavor. And what's more, each fine textured slice means good eating, real nourishment. Weber's bread is enriched with all the vitamins natural to whole grains, and that means extra food value.
You'll like good Weber's bread, always fresh, flavorsome, and nutritious, in the blue and white Czech gingham wrapper.
[00:05:06] Unknown:
A happy song is always a pleasure for everybody, the singers, the listeners, the foot tappers, and the digit bumpers. And since hardly anyone can sing a happy song better than a cowboy, it's going to be a pleasure to hear the riders of the purple stage let loose on holiday for the blues. You gotta start in a singing and you gotta shout, you gotta You gotta start in a singing and you gotta shout. You gotta keep on swinging. Kick the blues right out.
[00:05:36] Unknown:
You gotta start in a singing and you gotta shout. You gotta keep on swinging. Kick the blues right out. Don't you let it get you, you got too much to lose. It's a holiday for the blues. Was riding on my pillow and I'd have sent in my jeans. It felt like it was weeks since I'd had four convenes. I said let's jump in the river. My horse said I refuse. Because it's a holiday for the blues. I went up to the racetrack. The horse gave me a smile. Leaned over and he whispered, gotta shout, you gotta keep on swinging, kick the blues right out. Don't you let it get you, you got too much to lose. It's a holiday for the blues.
You gotta start in a shoutin' till you're feeling fine. You gotta keep on a toutin', gotta
[00:07:48] Unknown:
Now it's time for another story of the Golden West told by Foy Willing and the riders of the Purple Sage. This tale they call the cry that caught the killer. High up in the beautiful San Juan Mountains of Colorado, near the Colorado, New Mexico border, is Crystal Lake's Ranch, breathtaking in its unsurpassed setting. Fred Emmett and his wife, Sally, own and successfully operate the ranch all year round. During the summer, they take in paying guests, dudes. Extra guests require extra help. And this summer, boy willing, Al Slowy and Johnny Paul been hired to help the Emmets and to lend a little bit of atmosphere to the place. Well, the summer's ended now. The first snow is falling softly. That means the boys will be heading south soon. But before they go, there's a job to do. A job they've been working on all morning. For roaming this countryside is a killer.
[00:08:44] Unknown:
The snow is really pretty, ain't it, boys? Oh, it's pretty alright, Johnny. But it sure piled us up. Oh, I don't know, boy. Mountain lions don't leave such good tracks when they get into rocky territory, and that's where we're tracking. I was right. Sure. But if it hadn't started to snow, I'll bet we'd have picked up those tracks on the other side of those rocks. Well, maybe. One thing is sure. We gotta find out where that old boy is shacking up and kill him before we leave. If we don't, none of Fred Emmett's stock's gonna be safe all winter. Well, besides that, there's a $50 bounty for a mountain lion, and $50 will buy a lot of beans. The skin will make a nice rug for Sally to put in front of the fireplace. Yes. It will, Johnny. Hey. Let's touch these nags up and get going. I wanna get back to the ranch and get a cup of good hot coffee. Me too, Al. Come on, Johnny.
[00:09:36] Unknown:
Let's ride.
[00:09:38] Unknown:
Get all that mud off your shoes, man, or Sally Amador chop off your heads and throw them in the kitchen range for fuel. You can just bet your bottom dollar, I will. I've got a clean kitchen floor. Fred back yet, Sally? No. He isn't, boy. I thought he might be with you boys. Well, he went with some of the other men one way and we went tiler, so to speak. Well, I expect you'll be along shortly. Come on in. I've got a pot of hot coffee on the stove. That's exactly what I wanted to hear. I'll bet your cold cleared through, aren't you? I am. Well, it's not freezing yet, but it's gonna be by tonight. The snow stopped now. I guess you didn't find the mountain lion or you'd have said so. Well, we might have if it hadn't started to snow. Gee, when it began to fall, I thought, well, there goes the hunt for today. Well, we found the track alright, but we lost it at the rocks on the other side of Red Granite Clear. Oh, you were on the other side of Red Granite. The sugar out. You break your arm, can't you reach anymore? Okay. Okay. You know, Sally, I wonder if that mountain lion ain't smarter than we are. I got a feeling his Larry's on this side. Oh, this coffee But his tracks are on the other side. Well, if you kill some staff tonight, you'll be in luck because you can track them straight home in this snow. As soon as we get them, I'm gonna make a few tracks myself. I like the snow, but oh, you beautiful warm Texas sun. Oh, your blood's too thin. Your head's too thick. I don't see how you can leave this place.
[00:10:52] Unknown:
I wanna say I'll stand at this kitchen window a dozen times a day and look at those hills and simply drink in the beauty of life. Tommy, you play around the bar and corral. Don't you go wander and all. I'm sorry. Better come drink your coffee, Sally. It's gonna get cold. Yes, I had. Wish Fred'd get home. It's gonna get dark early tonight. You know what? When we leave here, I'm gonna miss Tommy. And he's gonna miss you boys. We're all gonna miss you for that matter. And incidentally, while we're on the subject, when you boys do leave, don't say goodbye to Tommy. Oh, hang on a boy. It would break his heart if you do. Just let him think you're riding into town, and I'll break the news to him gradually over a few days. Well, I suppose you're right, Sally. Four year old can take those things pretty seriously. And, boy,
[00:11:36] Unknown:
try to come back next summer. We've had such a lovely time this summer. I want you to come back again. I'm willing. I've had a great time this summer. All those pretty Eastern girls. Hey, Johnny. How about Ethel? All those pretty Eastern girls except Ethel. Or how fat can a girl get in twenty short years? I'll tell you. The time he was trying to help her onto the horse and she fell on him, I thought our drum expired. I stood there at the kitchen window watching and I was simply doubled up. I cried. I laughed so hard. I didn't think it was so funny. She nearly busted off my ribs. Yeah. And and Johnny yelling for help. Oh, help. Help. Well, how would you like to have two tons of dead weight descend on you from a great height?
[00:12:19] Unknown:
There was Tommy. The mountain lion. He's going into the woods. Tommy. Tommy.
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Come on, Al. Fast. Rifles, boy? Yeah. And grab that flashlight, Al. Got it. And take gloves. It's gonna be freezing by the time we get back. We're not gonna ride, are we? Up through those woods? No. We're driving light and fast, and we're gonna have to move too. It'll be as dark as the inside I wanna go with you guys. I wanna go with you guys. But what about Sally? Somebody's gotta stay with her. She'll be alright. Alright. Nothing. She's nearly out of her mind. You stay with her till Fred gets back. I wanna help get that mountain lion. What are you talking about? You couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a 12 gauge shotgun facing it head on and standing five feet away. Now go on back in the house with Sally. We can't waste any more time. Come on, Al. Let's go. Well, all I can say is you better bring back the skin, you big game, aren't you? Tommy must have been just inside of the corral fence. There's where the tracks start. Yeah. Look at the blood on the snow, boy. Let's hope, pal. Let's hope a lot and hurry more. Come on. Well, he knows where he's going and he ain't wasting any time getting there. It's a good straight track. He's gonna lead us right to his lair.
Getting tired, Al? Yeah. I ain't used to this mountain climbing, but I'm not slowing down. No. We can't. Haven't got more than forty five minutes more of light. All I can say is the Lord provided the snowfall at the right time. We'd never be able to trail him across the flat table rocks without it. We might have. There's a drop of blood every 10 foot or so. Well, if he'd pinned a note on every tree, he couldn't have left a better trail. Yeah. And I've got a hunch where he's headed for it too. Boy, did you ever hear of a mountain lion attacking a child before? There used to be an old codger that lived in the Zuni Indian country in New Mexico. Yeah. And I remember him telling how he tracked down and killed a big cat that was carrying off the Zuni's kids regular. The Zunis themselves wouldn't kill the cat. Well, why not? Well, they worship mountain lions, part of their religion or something. Well, how do you like that? That's the cave, and the tracks lead in straight as a string. Red granite cliff. Well, when we was tracking him this morning, he was coming around the cliff from the other side. Right. But we've got him now. Well, what are we gonna do now, boy? Smoke him out.
Who's gonna light the fire? You. Well, not supposing he doesn't like me fooling around in front of his house. I'll keep you covered. Well, alright. Let's move in. Yeah. And keep it as quiet as you can. What do we burn? Everything's wet around here. Under that overhang, there's a dry pine branch. Put some wet pine needles on top of it, and you'll get a good smoke. Okay. Pee you. Get up wet with that fish from that cave. Yeah. He's been living here a long time. Shove the branch in closer to the mouth of the cave, Al. Alright. And put some pine needles on it now.
I'll get that. I'm gonna light it. I'm ready.
[00:16:04] Unknown:
Keep to one side, Al. Fan the smoke with your hat so it goes inside of the cave. Okay.
[00:16:11] Unknown:
That's it. That's doing it. That's doing it. Hey. Did you hear that? Stay there. Stay there and keep panning.
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Watch out, Al. Here he comes. Old man.
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Oh, boy.
[00:16:30] Unknown:
That was as good a shot as I ever made. Right through the head. Oh, you dropped him clean. Yeah. Scatter the fire and let's get on into the cave. Yeah. Turn on the flashlight. Although, I don't think we'll find what we're looking for. Smoke. I can stand the smoke, but brother, that stink. Look. Bones, hooves, hide, feathers. No Tommy. Oh, what are we gonna tell Sally for? I don't know, Al. I really don't know.
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Fred?
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What are you what are you doing here in the bunkhouse? Waiting for you boys. Who's with Sally, Fred? Sally's lying down. Johnny's eating some soup for all of us.
[00:17:30] Unknown:
You killed a mountain lion. That's his skin. And
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and Tommy? No sign of Tommy, Fred. Sorry. I don't know if it'll make it any easier for you, Fred. But the lion lost, well, he lost whatever it was he was carrying. How do you mean? He went out around that narrow ledge above the canyon just before you get to Red Granny Cliff. There are signs there that show he dropped his prey, and he slipped off the ledge and fell into the canyon.
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Boy, did
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did anybody actually see the lion carrying Tommy away? Well, no. But we heard Tommy scream, and when we all got out on the porch, the lion was just disappearing into the trees yonder and Tommy was gone. I keep hoping that it's a mistake. Maybe God and his wisdom has somehow spared him. Don't hope too much, Fred. But just the same, at daybreak we'll start down into the canyon. There's a chance in a million, I guess. Well, I'll I'll have to go tell
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Sally. Well, Fred
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I You don't have to tell me.
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Sally,
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I'd have been willing to die if I could have prevented this. I know you would, Fred.
[00:18:49] Unknown:
I would have too, twice over. Did the boys find his body? No. They killed the cat, but they didn't find Tommy. They say that when the cat went along that ledge above the canyon, he dropped the body and it fell off into the canyon. That's a thousand foot drop.
[00:19:09] Unknown:
Yeah, I know.
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Do you think there could be a chance, Fred?
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One in a million.
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We'll leave at daybreak.
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We'll go down into the canyon and see. I'd rather have you find him there than think what would have happened otherwise.
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I know. Makes me sick to think of the other.
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Look out the window, Fred. Yeah. Look at all that terrifying beauty. Sally, lie back and rest. No. No. I'm alright. I want you to look at those snow covered hills against the night sky. I used to think that heaven couldn't be any more beautiful than this place. Used to? I'll never be able to look at those hills again without thinking of the wild animals that are stalking their prey, waiting for a chance to kill. How, Sally? I'll never be able to look at the corral again without seeing that beast disappearing into the woods beyond. Please, honey. I'd never be able to have another child here, Fred, and be afraid to. And I want another child. You
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you wanna leave here, Sally?
[00:20:11] Unknown:
Yes. But everything we have is here. We can start all over again.
[00:20:17] Unknown:
That's what you want, Sally. Well, And I think that just this afternoon, I asked the boys not to say goodbye to Tommy when they left because it'll break his little heart to know they were going for good. Well, now we'll all be going and none of us can say goodbye to Tommy. Oh, darling. Don't. I didn't think I had another tear left in me. I really didn't.
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There. There.
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What? It's the same scream. That's Tommy. But it can't be. Come on.
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Fred, now it's where it comes. Hey, Jason. The haymow. Boy's up there now. Boy. It's okay, Fred. It's Tommy. He's up here in
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the haymall
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and he's alright. There now, Tommy. You're alright, honey. You're tucking your own little bed nice and warm. It was so cold. Well, Johnny's gonna bring you a hot water bottle, honey. That'll warm your feet up real nice. And some hot soup too, Tommy. Sally, do you think we'd be rushing things to find out what happened now? Yeah. I'm real curious. What happened, Tommy? When did you go up into the hay mouth? When I saw the big cat watching me in the tree. I got scared. Of course you did, darling.
[00:21:37] Unknown:
Then what happened? And the big cat came out of the trees and made a yell. Well, that was a scream we heard and thought was Tommy. And it jumped on Babe's little colt and took him away.
[00:21:49] Unknown:
The colt? Of course. We never even thought about the colt. Why didn't you call us, Tommy?
[00:21:53] Unknown:
I was scared. Oh, you're poor baby. And then I went to sleep and when I woke up, it was dark. And I was afraid the big cat would come back after me and I screamed.
[00:22:05] Unknown:
Well, I'll be dog. I never knew a mountain lion scream was so much like a little kid's. Well, Tommy, you don't have to worry about that old cat anymore. We killed him and brought his skin back, and you can have it for a rug. I can? You bet you can. When we come back next year, we'll get you another one or maybe two. Sally, come here a minute.
[00:22:30] Unknown:
Look at the snow covered hills against the night sky now, Sally. Mhmm. Beautiful, Fred. Simply beautiful. You still wanna leave? No. No. I'll stay, Fred. When you stop to think about it, you realize that there's so much beauty. There's bound to be a little evil to balance things up. We'll stay. But from now on, I'm gonna keep a rifle handy.
[00:23:08] Unknown:
For many cowboys, the passing of the open range met a change from wrangling cows to wrangling dudes. It didn't mean less work though. In fact, some of the boys complained that herding honoree steers was less work than dude ranching. Ranching. Some modern changes have met with unqualified approval, though. Take the way women so promptly gave up whole baked bread in favor of better bread like Weber's. It's not just a matter of convenience and time saving. Weber's bread is really good bread, always fresh with a fine delicate flavor of choice ingredients. All that fresh goodness is sealed right in, lasts longer too. And remember, Weber's bread is extra nutritious, enriched with b vitamins for more bodybuilding nourishment. Buy a loaf of good Weber's bread next time you shop in the blue and white gingham wrapper.
[00:24:01] Unknown:
Well, friends, this is the point during the proceedings in your all star Western Theater where Foy willing and the riders of the Purple Sage bring up the curtain on one of the great Western songs of all time. Today's selection is one that will live as long as Western music
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tumbleweed.
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See them tumbling down,
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drifting along with the tumble and tumbling. Well, we've reached the end of our trail again, friends. We're always glad when you can be with us, and we invite you to join us again next week. Heard with us in our story today were Leon Ledoux, Rita Lynn, and Harry Bartel. This is Foy Willing speaking for Al Floy, Johnny Paul, and Scotty Harrell, the writers of the Purple Sage saying so long, and the best of luck to all of you. Drifting along,
[00:27:10] Unknown:
singing a song. From Hollywood, you've heard your all star western theater, a VM Ware production starring America's great western singers, boy willing, and the writers of The Purple Sage. The script was written and directed by Scott Farnworth. This is Terry O'Sullivan speaking.
The bakers of Weber's Bread present your all star western theater. Recorded earlier for release at this time.
[00:00:10] Unknown:
Drifting along, singing a song under a western moon.
[00:00:18] Unknown:
From Hollywood comes your all star western theater, starring America's great western singers, boy willing and the riders of the Purple Sage, bringing you the stories and the spirit of the great open spaces. And now, here are the riders of the Purple Sage.
[00:00:33] Unknown:
I wanna ride my pony over the prairie out on the open rain. Hurting the cattle, dusty and weary out on the open rain. I wanna see the sunset over the mountains, leaving the moon so plain. I wanna hit the saddle, hurting lazy cattle on the open rain. I wanna hear the wind blow over my campfire, brushing the smoke away. Rolling my blanket there by the campfire, waiting the break off day. I wanna see the dawn break there in the morning, making me feel so strange. I get my pal together, then we hit the ladder out on the open rain. Hello, friends. It's a pleasure for all of us to be back with you again, singing especially for you our western song.
And I have a particular one in mind right now, a song full of tender but disappointed romance. It's been a favorite for some time now, and I hope you'll enjoy hearing Remember Me. The sweetest songs belong to lovers in the moment.
[00:01:56] Unknown:
The sweetest days are the days that used to be.
[00:02:03] Unknown:
The saddest words I ever heard were words of party.
[00:02:11] Unknown:
When you say, sweetheart, remember me. Remember me when the candle lights are gleaming. I'm dreaming, just to know you still remember me.
[00:03:01] Unknown:
You told me once that you were mine alone forever, and I was yours till the end of eternity.
[00:03:31] Unknown:
Remember me when the candle lights are gleaming. Remember me at the close of a long, long day. It would be so sweet when all alone I'm dreaming just to know you still remember me.
[00:04:12] Unknown:
As we've had a great number of songs and ballads which have come down to us from the early days of the West, the cowboy always found something to sing about. He sang about his loneliness, his sweethearts, his horse, life on the range. There's even a song about food, free holy beans. Perhaps if any cowboy had been lucky enough to get a loaf of Weber's bread, there'd be a song about this western favorite too. It's easy to sing praises of bread as good as Weber's, its freshness, its satisfying flavor. And what's more, each fine textured slice means good eating, real nourishment. Weber's bread is enriched with all the vitamins natural to whole grains, and that means extra food value.
You'll like good Weber's bread, always fresh, flavorsome, and nutritious, in the blue and white Czech gingham wrapper.
[00:05:06] Unknown:
A happy song is always a pleasure for everybody, the singers, the listeners, the foot tappers, and the digit bumpers. And since hardly anyone can sing a happy song better than a cowboy, it's going to be a pleasure to hear the riders of the purple stage let loose on holiday for the blues. You gotta start in a singing and you gotta shout, you gotta You gotta start in a singing and you gotta shout. You gotta keep on swinging. Kick the blues right out.
[00:05:36] Unknown:
You gotta start in a singing and you gotta shout. You gotta keep on swinging. Kick the blues right out. Don't you let it get you, you got too much to lose. It's a holiday for the blues. Was riding on my pillow and I'd have sent in my jeans. It felt like it was weeks since I'd had four convenes. I said let's jump in the river. My horse said I refuse. Because it's a holiday for the blues. I went up to the racetrack. The horse gave me a smile. Leaned over and he whispered, gotta shout, you gotta keep on swinging, kick the blues right out. Don't you let it get you, you got too much to lose. It's a holiday for the blues.
You gotta start in a shoutin' till you're feeling fine. You gotta keep on a toutin', gotta
[00:07:48] Unknown:
Now it's time for another story of the Golden West told by Foy Willing and the riders of the Purple Sage. This tale they call the cry that caught the killer. High up in the beautiful San Juan Mountains of Colorado, near the Colorado, New Mexico border, is Crystal Lake's Ranch, breathtaking in its unsurpassed setting. Fred Emmett and his wife, Sally, own and successfully operate the ranch all year round. During the summer, they take in paying guests, dudes. Extra guests require extra help. And this summer, boy willing, Al Slowy and Johnny Paul been hired to help the Emmets and to lend a little bit of atmosphere to the place. Well, the summer's ended now. The first snow is falling softly. That means the boys will be heading south soon. But before they go, there's a job to do. A job they've been working on all morning. For roaming this countryside is a killer.
[00:08:44] Unknown:
The snow is really pretty, ain't it, boys? Oh, it's pretty alright, Johnny. But it sure piled us up. Oh, I don't know, boy. Mountain lions don't leave such good tracks when they get into rocky territory, and that's where we're tracking. I was right. Sure. But if it hadn't started to snow, I'll bet we'd have picked up those tracks on the other side of those rocks. Well, maybe. One thing is sure. We gotta find out where that old boy is shacking up and kill him before we leave. If we don't, none of Fred Emmett's stock's gonna be safe all winter. Well, besides that, there's a $50 bounty for a mountain lion, and $50 will buy a lot of beans. The skin will make a nice rug for Sally to put in front of the fireplace. Yes. It will, Johnny. Hey. Let's touch these nags up and get going. I wanna get back to the ranch and get a cup of good hot coffee. Me too, Al. Come on, Johnny.
[00:09:36] Unknown:
Let's ride.
[00:09:38] Unknown:
Get all that mud off your shoes, man, or Sally Amador chop off your heads and throw them in the kitchen range for fuel. You can just bet your bottom dollar, I will. I've got a clean kitchen floor. Fred back yet, Sally? No. He isn't, boy. I thought he might be with you boys. Well, he went with some of the other men one way and we went tiler, so to speak. Well, I expect you'll be along shortly. Come on in. I've got a pot of hot coffee on the stove. That's exactly what I wanted to hear. I'll bet your cold cleared through, aren't you? I am. Well, it's not freezing yet, but it's gonna be by tonight. The snow stopped now. I guess you didn't find the mountain lion or you'd have said so. Well, we might have if it hadn't started to snow. Gee, when it began to fall, I thought, well, there goes the hunt for today. Well, we found the track alright, but we lost it at the rocks on the other side of Red Granite Clear. Oh, you were on the other side of Red Granite. The sugar out. You break your arm, can't you reach anymore? Okay. Okay. You know, Sally, I wonder if that mountain lion ain't smarter than we are. I got a feeling his Larry's on this side. Oh, this coffee But his tracks are on the other side. Well, if you kill some staff tonight, you'll be in luck because you can track them straight home in this snow. As soon as we get them, I'm gonna make a few tracks myself. I like the snow, but oh, you beautiful warm Texas sun. Oh, your blood's too thin. Your head's too thick. I don't see how you can leave this place.
[00:10:52] Unknown:
I wanna say I'll stand at this kitchen window a dozen times a day and look at those hills and simply drink in the beauty of life. Tommy, you play around the bar and corral. Don't you go wander and all. I'm sorry. Better come drink your coffee, Sally. It's gonna get cold. Yes, I had. Wish Fred'd get home. It's gonna get dark early tonight. You know what? When we leave here, I'm gonna miss Tommy. And he's gonna miss you boys. We're all gonna miss you for that matter. And incidentally, while we're on the subject, when you boys do leave, don't say goodbye to Tommy. Oh, hang on a boy. It would break his heart if you do. Just let him think you're riding into town, and I'll break the news to him gradually over a few days. Well, I suppose you're right, Sally. Four year old can take those things pretty seriously. And, boy,
[00:11:36] Unknown:
try to come back next summer. We've had such a lovely time this summer. I want you to come back again. I'm willing. I've had a great time this summer. All those pretty Eastern girls. Hey, Johnny. How about Ethel? All those pretty Eastern girls except Ethel. Or how fat can a girl get in twenty short years? I'll tell you. The time he was trying to help her onto the horse and she fell on him, I thought our drum expired. I stood there at the kitchen window watching and I was simply doubled up. I cried. I laughed so hard. I didn't think it was so funny. She nearly busted off my ribs. Yeah. And and Johnny yelling for help. Oh, help. Help. Well, how would you like to have two tons of dead weight descend on you from a great height?
[00:12:19] Unknown:
There was Tommy. The mountain lion. He's going into the woods. Tommy. Tommy.
[00:12:29] Unknown:
Come on, Al. Fast. Rifles, boy? Yeah. And grab that flashlight, Al. Got it. And take gloves. It's gonna be freezing by the time we get back. We're not gonna ride, are we? Up through those woods? No. We're driving light and fast, and we're gonna have to move too. It'll be as dark as the inside I wanna go with you guys. I wanna go with you guys. But what about Sally? Somebody's gotta stay with her. She'll be alright. Alright. Nothing. She's nearly out of her mind. You stay with her till Fred gets back. I wanna help get that mountain lion. What are you talking about? You couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a 12 gauge shotgun facing it head on and standing five feet away. Now go on back in the house with Sally. We can't waste any more time. Come on, Al. Let's go. Well, all I can say is you better bring back the skin, you big game, aren't you? Tommy must have been just inside of the corral fence. There's where the tracks start. Yeah. Look at the blood on the snow, boy. Let's hope, pal. Let's hope a lot and hurry more. Come on. Well, he knows where he's going and he ain't wasting any time getting there. It's a good straight track. He's gonna lead us right to his lair.
Getting tired, Al? Yeah. I ain't used to this mountain climbing, but I'm not slowing down. No. We can't. Haven't got more than forty five minutes more of light. All I can say is the Lord provided the snowfall at the right time. We'd never be able to trail him across the flat table rocks without it. We might have. There's a drop of blood every 10 foot or so. Well, if he'd pinned a note on every tree, he couldn't have left a better trail. Yeah. And I've got a hunch where he's headed for it too. Boy, did you ever hear of a mountain lion attacking a child before? There used to be an old codger that lived in the Zuni Indian country in New Mexico. Yeah. And I remember him telling how he tracked down and killed a big cat that was carrying off the Zuni's kids regular. The Zunis themselves wouldn't kill the cat. Well, why not? Well, they worship mountain lions, part of their religion or something. Well, how do you like that? That's the cave, and the tracks lead in straight as a string. Red granite cliff. Well, when we was tracking him this morning, he was coming around the cliff from the other side. Right. But we've got him now. Well, what are we gonna do now, boy? Smoke him out.
Who's gonna light the fire? You. Well, not supposing he doesn't like me fooling around in front of his house. I'll keep you covered. Well, alright. Let's move in. Yeah. And keep it as quiet as you can. What do we burn? Everything's wet around here. Under that overhang, there's a dry pine branch. Put some wet pine needles on top of it, and you'll get a good smoke. Okay. Pee you. Get up wet with that fish from that cave. Yeah. He's been living here a long time. Shove the branch in closer to the mouth of the cave, Al. Alright. And put some pine needles on it now.
I'll get that. I'm gonna light it. I'm ready.
[00:16:04] Unknown:
Keep to one side, Al. Fan the smoke with your hat so it goes inside of the cave. Okay.
[00:16:11] Unknown:
That's it. That's doing it. That's doing it. Hey. Did you hear that? Stay there. Stay there and keep panning.
[00:16:23] Unknown:
Watch out, Al. Here he comes. Old man.
[00:16:28] Unknown:
Oh, boy.
[00:16:30] Unknown:
That was as good a shot as I ever made. Right through the head. Oh, you dropped him clean. Yeah. Scatter the fire and let's get on into the cave. Yeah. Turn on the flashlight. Although, I don't think we'll find what we're looking for. Smoke. I can stand the smoke, but brother, that stink. Look. Bones, hooves, hide, feathers. No Tommy. Oh, what are we gonna tell Sally for? I don't know, Al. I really don't know.
[00:17:21] Unknown:
Fred?
[00:17:22] Unknown:
What are you what are you doing here in the bunkhouse? Waiting for you boys. Who's with Sally, Fred? Sally's lying down. Johnny's eating some soup for all of us.
[00:17:30] Unknown:
You killed a mountain lion. That's his skin. And
[00:17:35] Unknown:
and Tommy? No sign of Tommy, Fred. Sorry. I don't know if it'll make it any easier for you, Fred. But the lion lost, well, he lost whatever it was he was carrying. How do you mean? He went out around that narrow ledge above the canyon just before you get to Red Granny Cliff. There are signs there that show he dropped his prey, and he slipped off the ledge and fell into the canyon.
[00:17:57] Unknown:
Boy, did
[00:17:59] Unknown:
did anybody actually see the lion carrying Tommy away? Well, no. But we heard Tommy scream, and when we all got out on the porch, the lion was just disappearing into the trees yonder and Tommy was gone. I keep hoping that it's a mistake. Maybe God and his wisdom has somehow spared him. Don't hope too much, Fred. But just the same, at daybreak we'll start down into the canyon. There's a chance in a million, I guess. Well, I'll I'll have to go tell
[00:18:38] Unknown:
Sally. Well, Fred
[00:18:41] Unknown:
I You don't have to tell me.
[00:18:44] Unknown:
Sally,
[00:18:45] Unknown:
I'd have been willing to die if I could have prevented this. I know you would, Fred.
[00:18:49] Unknown:
I would have too, twice over. Did the boys find his body? No. They killed the cat, but they didn't find Tommy. They say that when the cat went along that ledge above the canyon, he dropped the body and it fell off into the canyon. That's a thousand foot drop.
[00:19:09] Unknown:
Yeah, I know.
[00:19:10] Unknown:
Do you think there could be a chance, Fred?
[00:19:13] Unknown:
One in a million.
[00:19:15] Unknown:
We'll leave at daybreak.
[00:19:16] Unknown:
We'll go down into the canyon and see. I'd rather have you find him there than think what would have happened otherwise.
[00:19:23] Unknown:
I know. Makes me sick to think of the other.
[00:19:27] Unknown:
Look out the window, Fred. Yeah. Look at all that terrifying beauty. Sally, lie back and rest. No. No. I'm alright. I want you to look at those snow covered hills against the night sky. I used to think that heaven couldn't be any more beautiful than this place. Used to? I'll never be able to look at those hills again without thinking of the wild animals that are stalking their prey, waiting for a chance to kill. How, Sally? I'll never be able to look at the corral again without seeing that beast disappearing into the woods beyond. Please, honey. I'd never be able to have another child here, Fred, and be afraid to. And I want another child. You
[00:20:09] Unknown:
you wanna leave here, Sally?
[00:20:11] Unknown:
Yes. But everything we have is here. We can start all over again.
[00:20:17] Unknown:
That's what you want, Sally. Well, And I think that just this afternoon, I asked the boys not to say goodbye to Tommy when they left because it'll break his little heart to know they were going for good. Well, now we'll all be going and none of us can say goodbye to Tommy. Oh, darling. Don't. I didn't think I had another tear left in me. I really didn't.
[00:20:39] Unknown:
There. There.
[00:20:43] Unknown:
What? It's the same scream. That's Tommy. But it can't be. Come on.
[00:20:53] Unknown:
Fred, now it's where it comes. Hey, Jason. The haymow. Boy's up there now. Boy. It's okay, Fred. It's Tommy. He's up here in
[00:21:01] Unknown:
the haymall
[00:21:05] Unknown:
and he's alright. There now, Tommy. You're alright, honey. You're tucking your own little bed nice and warm. It was so cold. Well, Johnny's gonna bring you a hot water bottle, honey. That'll warm your feet up real nice. And some hot soup too, Tommy. Sally, do you think we'd be rushing things to find out what happened now? Yeah. I'm real curious. What happened, Tommy? When did you go up into the hay mouth? When I saw the big cat watching me in the tree. I got scared. Of course you did, darling.
[00:21:37] Unknown:
Then what happened? And the big cat came out of the trees and made a yell. Well, that was a scream we heard and thought was Tommy. And it jumped on Babe's little colt and took him away.
[00:21:49] Unknown:
The colt? Of course. We never even thought about the colt. Why didn't you call us, Tommy?
[00:21:53] Unknown:
I was scared. Oh, you're poor baby. And then I went to sleep and when I woke up, it was dark. And I was afraid the big cat would come back after me and I screamed.
[00:22:05] Unknown:
Well, I'll be dog. I never knew a mountain lion scream was so much like a little kid's. Well, Tommy, you don't have to worry about that old cat anymore. We killed him and brought his skin back, and you can have it for a rug. I can? You bet you can. When we come back next year, we'll get you another one or maybe two. Sally, come here a minute.
[00:22:30] Unknown:
Look at the snow covered hills against the night sky now, Sally. Mhmm. Beautiful, Fred. Simply beautiful. You still wanna leave? No. No. I'll stay, Fred. When you stop to think about it, you realize that there's so much beauty. There's bound to be a little evil to balance things up. We'll stay. But from now on, I'm gonna keep a rifle handy.
[00:23:08] Unknown:
For many cowboys, the passing of the open range met a change from wrangling cows to wrangling dudes. It didn't mean less work though. In fact, some of the boys complained that herding honoree steers was less work than dude ranching. Ranching. Some modern changes have met with unqualified approval, though. Take the way women so promptly gave up whole baked bread in favor of better bread like Weber's. It's not just a matter of convenience and time saving. Weber's bread is really good bread, always fresh with a fine delicate flavor of choice ingredients. All that fresh goodness is sealed right in, lasts longer too. And remember, Weber's bread is extra nutritious, enriched with b vitamins for more bodybuilding nourishment. Buy a loaf of good Weber's bread next time you shop in the blue and white gingham wrapper.
[00:24:01] Unknown:
Well, friends, this is the point during the proceedings in your all star Western Theater where Foy willing and the riders of the Purple Sage bring up the curtain on one of the great Western songs of all time. Today's selection is one that will live as long as Western music
[00:24:19] Unknown:
tumbleweed.
[00:24:26] Unknown:
See them tumbling down,
[00:25:29] Unknown:
drifting along with the tumble and tumbling. Well, we've reached the end of our trail again, friends. We're always glad when you can be with us, and we invite you to join us again next week. Heard with us in our story today were Leon Ledoux, Rita Lynn, and Harry Bartel. This is Foy Willing speaking for Al Floy, Johnny Paul, and Scotty Harrell, the writers of the Purple Sage saying so long, and the best of luck to all of you. Drifting along,
[00:27:10] Unknown:
singing a song. From Hollywood, you've heard your all star western theater, a VM Ware production starring America's great western singers, boy willing, and the writers of The Purple Sage. The script was written and directed by Scott Farnworth. This is Terry O'Sullivan speaking.
