00:00Ranger Bill, warrior of the woodland, struggling against extreme odds, traveling dangerous
00:26trails, fighting the many enemies of nature.
00:29This is the job of the guardian of the forest, Ranger Bill.
00:33Pouring rain, freezing cold, blistering heat, snow, floods, bears, rattlesnakes, mountain
00:39lions.
00:40Yes, all this in exchange for the satisfaction and pride of a job well done.
00:54Say have you ever heard of animal ghosts?
00:57Gus McDougal, the owner of a large bus line, has problems with ghosts, and Bill and his
01:03rangers are directly involved.
01:05In fact, the ghosts almost put Gus out of business, and Bill is hard put to solve the
01:11problem of ghosts appearing along forest edges at night.
01:15What would you do if a man told you that you had to stop his men from seeing ghosts?
01:21That's quite a question, isn't it?
01:23Well let's find out what Bill and the fellas do in the story, The Road Ghost.
01:38Big Sandy Thomas is pushing his cross country bus as hard as he can and yet drives safely.
01:44The large vehicle has a full load of 55 sleeping passengers as the bus roars through the night.
01:50The drive from Junction City to Knotty Pine is the last leg of a long trail for Sandy.
01:56One of the passengers sitting directly behind the driver's seat speaks a few words now and
02:00again.
02:01Say, driver.
02:02Yeah?
02:03Why do you flash your brights every time you climb a hill?
02:11I do that to alert a driver coming up the other side that I'm here, not to pass on the
02:16way up.
02:17Say that's smart safety.
02:18That'd be good for anybody driving in hilly country.
02:20Yeah, it'd save a lot of accidents.
02:23Of course, you're not supposed to pass on a hill, but there's always a wise guy on every
02:28road.
02:29Hey, driver, you have the time?
02:36Yeah.
02:37Midnight.
02:38Right on the head.
02:39Thanks.
02:40It's too dark to see my watch.
02:42Quite all right.
02:43I suppose it's too dark for you to see the sign over my head, too.
02:47You mean the one about not talking to the driver while the bus is in motion?
02:51Yeah, that's the one.
02:53Everybody breaks rules and regulations, you know.
02:55They do, huh?
02:56Sure.
02:57That's what they're made for.
02:59Boy, I'm sure glad you're not driving on the other side of this hill.
03:04Hey!
03:05Hey, there's a deer in the road!
03:11All right, folks.
03:12All right.
03:13Quiet down.
03:14Take it easy.
03:16How's the damage done to the bus?
03:17What?
03:18What is it?
03:19I don't believe it.
03:20Anybody hurt?
03:21No, we're just shaking up.
03:22That's all, but...
03:23Oh, I'm sorry.
03:24I'll back the bus onto the road, and we'll be in Knotty Pine in 40 minutes.
03:27What happened, driver?
03:28Last six, you like to scare the life out of me.
03:31I saw a deer on the road and tried to avoid hitting it.
03:34I didn't see any deer.
03:35And I'm sitting right behind you.
03:37You didn't?
03:38No.
03:39Well, that's strange, because I sure saw it.
03:42It had a funny color, like a ghost deer.
04:00Now, now, take it easy, folks.
04:03The doctor's on his way over, and he'll check all of you for any possible injury.
04:07What about the driver?
04:10He's the one that should be checked before he kills somebody.
04:13Now, how do you explain away what happened, Mr. McDougal?
04:16I'm not trying to explain away anything.
04:19It's not unusual for animals to jump in front of vehicles driving along forest highways.
04:24The bus' headlights picked up the deer as they bounded across the road and startled the driver.
04:29Then perhaps.
04:30But why did the driver take off to the side of the road like he did?
04:35Well, ladies, there might have been a serious accident if Sandy hadn't pulled onto the shoulder.
04:40Running into a deer or any large animal could put even a heavy bus completely out of control.
04:46Or turn it over.
04:47Well, I'm satisfied that everything's all right.
04:50For a minute, I thought the driver won off his rocker.
04:53So did I.
04:54Land sakes, whoever heard of seeing ghost animals on the road?
05:05Gus had a good, sound answer to this one.
05:10But his fine, logical remarks soon go up in smoke.
05:14A series of accidents follow over a period of three weeks.
05:21Three nights after the first incident, Paul Gibbish drives the same route.
05:25It's late at night.
05:27The bus nears a narrow bridge and a car is crossing from the other end.
05:31Suddenly, the bus swerves into the path of the oncoming car.
05:43How are you feeling, Paul?
05:45Oh, not bad.
05:47I'll be as good as new after my arm bends.
05:50How's the driver of the car, boss?
05:52He wasn't hurt too badly.
05:54Saw you swerve and braced himself for the crash.
05:57What happened?
06:00A deer jumped in front of the bus.
06:03Boy, it sure had a ghostly look.
06:07Two more accidents occurred in a lesser degree than the one Paul had.
06:11It wasn't long before the whole country around Knotty Pine, Junction City, Canyon City and Centerville was in a hubbub.
06:17What do you think about all them there bus accidents, Knute?
06:21Well, I think there's something wrong for sure.
06:23I ain't riding them there buses until they find out what it is.
06:26I was on the bus that had that first accident, Phil.
06:29And I'm telling you for your own good, don't ride on those buses.
06:33I don't intend to, Jane.
06:35I want to keep my body in one piece.
06:37Maybe those drivers need a psychiatrist.
06:42I don't allow zeds, however hurt, or ghost animals, do you?
06:46Nope. Don't reckon to do, Josh.
06:48I wouldn't ride in one of them there buses if you paid me.
06:53In my old burrow, she's much safer.
06:59Gus, do you have time for an interview?
07:01Yeah, sure, Frank.
07:03What makes you think I have got a story for the Gazette?
07:06Man, you're the hottest news of the day.
07:08Everybody's talking about the road ghosts.
07:10And I mean they're talking nasty about your bus line.
07:13I was afraid of that.
07:16The talk is bad.
07:18I wouldn't be here for a story if it wasn't.
07:21What are you going to do about these ghost animals your drivers see?
07:24Oh, I got a couple of ideas.
07:27But first of all, I don't believe that the drivers are seeing ghost animals.
07:31I think they're real.
07:33How are you going to prove that?
07:35I don't have to prove it. I know.
07:37Whoever heard of ghost animals?
07:39That's more ridiculous than believing in human ghosts.
07:43You've been out along the road looking for hoof prints?
07:45No, I'm going to let the rangers do that.
07:48You think the rangers fit into this?
07:50It's their forest and it's up to them to keep the animals off the road.
07:53Can I print that as a statement?
07:55Sure.
07:57I've just about made up my mind to make a visit to ranger headquarters
08:00and get Bill Jefferson hot on this problem.
08:03Hey, have you read the latest edition of the Gazette?
08:21What's the hot news, honey?
08:24I'm thinking about rangers from look on Henry's face.
08:27You guessed it, Gray Wolf.
08:29Gus is going to ask us to stop the road ghosts.
08:32Yeah, we can't do it.
08:35Why not?
08:36Article 7, paragraph 3, line 9 of the regulations say rangers will not chase ghosts, especially
08:44ghost animals.
08:46Stumpy have answer for everything, including road ghosts.
08:51You're not joking.
08:52Hey, Bill, you haven't said a word.
08:54How come?
08:55When have I had a chance until now?
08:59I knew I should have kept my tater trap shut.
09:02I'm only ribbing you.
09:04What do you want me to say about this?
09:06Say something.
09:08You happy or not happy?
09:10Yeah, make some kind of noise, honey.
09:13Okay, I'll make some kind of noise.
09:15Let's hear it.
09:16What would you like to say if I told you I expected Gus to do this?
09:21Well, what is there to say?
09:24You're always able to second-guess the other guy.
09:27When do you think he'll come?
09:29Oh, in about five minutes.
09:31What?
09:32You must be getting to be one of them there prophetic fellows to be able to tell the exact
09:37time Gus is coming into this office.
09:40Oh, I don't think I have to be a prophet to tell that, especially if I keep looking out
09:46of the window and watch him walking up the street.
09:49Oh, Bill, you're smart.
09:58Hello, fellas.
10:00Howdy, Gus.
10:01Good to see you.
10:02Sit down, rest yourself, and we can talk out your problem.
10:06No, thanks.
10:07I'll stand.
10:08Come on, Gus.
10:09We don't charge for setting the spell.
10:12I don't think this is a laughing matter or any time for jokes.
10:16Well, perhaps it ain't, young fellow.
10:19There's always room for improvement.
10:23Well, perhaps it ain't, young fellow.
10:26There's always room for a little humor, no matter how serious the problem.
10:31Good, clean humor helps a man keep the right perspective on life.
10:36Those that ain't got the Lord as their Savior need something to help them keep the right
10:41perspective.
10:42Of course, humor ain't a substitute for the Lord, sonny.
10:46Now, you come storming in here like a rhino with a hot foot.
10:50Expect everybody to drop dead because you're upset.
10:53Well, this old duffer ain't about to do that for anyone.
10:57If I can't have a good, clean laugh, even in the face of trouble, then life ain't worth living.
11:03If you don't like that, you can get.
11:06Well, I guess I had that coming.
11:09What you've said makes a lot of sense, old-timer.
11:11Sorry.
11:14Now you're talking, sonny.
11:17Now, what's this stuff about your driver?
11:20See, an animal ghost down the road.
11:22I don't know myself.
11:24That's why I'm here.
11:25I need help.
11:26Seems as though you knew all about it from this article in the paper.
11:32Yeah, I thought I did.
11:34I guess I was steamed up.
11:36I've been losing business, and all the adverse publicity from the accidents is going to cost me more fares.
11:42I was getting filled up inside, and, well, I took it out on you fellas.
11:47Well, there's nothing to be sorry about, Gus.
11:50What you've said in the paper is perfectly logical.
11:53You mean you're not angry with me for saying what I did?
11:56If real deer and other animals are jumping out on the road and cause accidents, then they're up to us to stop them.
12:03Maybe you have to build a fence.
12:05That's right, young fella.
12:06We ain't said that this ain't possible until we've had a look.
12:10And that's what we're going to do, first thing in the morning.
12:13Don't look so surprised, Mr. McDougal.
12:16Well, that is, I came in here ready to fight, and you fellas took all the fight out of me by being friendly and cooperative.
12:27That's all right.
12:29We understand.
12:30Don't take it too hard.
12:31You know, when you've got a serious problem, the best thing to do is to let the Lord help you with it.
12:38The Lord may decide to have other folks lend a hand, or if it's humanly impossible, then he'll take care of it himself.
12:46What Bill say is great truth.
12:48You let us look into Roadgoer's problem, see if we can help.
12:52We'll do our best.
12:53And in the meantime, try to relax, Gus.
12:56You'll crack under the strain, my friend.
12:59Yeah, I know.
13:01Graywolf, Stumpy, help me move the cabinet in the back room.
13:05Okay.
13:06Hey, hey, hey.
13:09Gus, you know how to pray?
13:13Oh, no.
13:15I haven't been in a church but two or three times in my life.
13:18Well, you don't have to be in a church to pray, you know.
13:22If you'll believe in the Lord and are on speaking terms with him, the Lord will answer your prayers.
13:28You'll find that you'll receive tremendous help.
13:31What seems an impossible load to bear will become quite tolerable.
13:35Try it, see if it doesn't work.
13:38And they'll be glad to pray with you.
13:41Yeah, well, I appreciate your interest and offer to help, but I think I'll try and make it on my own.
13:50I would be obliged, though, if you'd take a look along the road in the morning.
13:54Okay, we'll be out bright and early.
13:57I'll let you know what we find.
14:02The End
14:14What do you think we'll find out here, Bill?
14:16I'd say right offhand that we won't find anything, pal.
14:20Huh? How do you know?
14:22I don't. It's just a guess.
14:24You didn't sneak out here last night while we were sleeping and take a look.
14:29No, I didn't, Stark.
14:30There's a bridge ahead where one accident took place.
14:34We'll park on the shoulder just the other side of the bridge.
14:37How are we going to work this?
14:39Two of us will walk along the road and the other two will walk along parallel to the road about a hundred yards in.
14:46We'll all look for trail signs of deer and any other animals that might have crossed the road.
14:52How far along the road will you search, Bill?
14:56I'd say five miles one way and then we'll come back along the other side.
15:01That ought to be good. Drivers see road ghosts along this part of road, don't they?
15:05That's right, Grey Wolf. Strange as it seems.
15:08I wonder why just along this five-mile stretch.
15:11That's a good question, Henry. I don't know, but the answer is so easy to come by.
15:17I'll buy that, old friend.
15:20Let's give it a good look and see what we can find.
15:23Henry and I will take the inside, at least on the way up.
15:27You fellas can do the hard work coming back.
15:43I don't think there's been any animals cross the highway for quite some time.
15:47It looks that way, pal.
15:49All we've found so far is some old trails.
15:52At least four, probably five weeks old.
15:55Right. And we've only got three and a half miles to go until we start back.
16:00I hate to think of poor Gus's reaction if we don't find any animal tracks.
16:05Yeah. He's so sure that his drivers saw real animals instead of ghosts.
16:15That curve where one accident happened. And here, a place where Sandy ran off-road and hit trees.
16:21Yeah, but this is it, all right.
16:23Well, we should find some recent animal tracks in the next hundred feet or thereabouts.
16:28I think Bill's right when he says we not find animal tracks.
16:31Yeah, it sure looks that way, all right, Gray Wolf.
16:34Unless maybe we're getting blind.
16:44We're almost at the five-mile mark. Still no footprints.
16:48I wonder if Stumpy and Gray Wolf saw anything.
16:50I doubt it. They would have called to us.
16:53We'll walk another 300 yards and call it quits.
17:02We look careful, Bill. Not find any sign of deer or other animals cross-road.
17:07No, neither do we.
17:09I don't imagine we'll find any on the other side of the road, either.
17:13It's highly improbable that an animal would walk out into the middle of the road,
17:17change its mind, and turn back the way it came.
17:37Bill, did you find the tracks?
17:42No, Gus, not a one.
17:44You didn't? How far did you look?
17:46Five miles, neither side of the road.
17:49A hundred yards in, as well as along the edge of the road.
17:52Yeah, but we took special care to examine the places where the accidents happened.
17:57And we didn't even find bird tracks, to say nothing of deer tracks.
18:01We make plenty careful search.
18:04I was afraid of this.
18:06I was hoping that this would turn out to be something concrete,
18:10so as not to affect business.
18:12But it didn't.
18:15Now we're fighting the intangible, the unknown.
18:19You don't really believe in ghosts, do you?
18:21No, of course not.
18:23But I'd sure give my right arm to know what the answer is.
18:27Who knows?
18:29Maybe I'll have to believe in ghosts before this is over.
18:32Have there been any more accidents, Gus?
18:35No, fortunately.
18:37You haven't taken the night buses off the schedule, have you?
18:41You know, I think your man might be just plain tired.
18:45Oh, no. Then I'd be licked for sure.
18:48That would be admitting defeat.
18:50You know, this road ghost business might be over with.
18:54Might have been atmospheric conditions or something like that.
18:58Say, do you think that's possible?
19:00Well, I've seen it happen.
19:02Scientist fellows call it some kind of light reflection or something like that there.
19:08Bill, you tell him.
19:10Stumpy is referring to strange deflection and reflection of light, like through a prism.
19:17Cloud conditions cause this.
19:19Scientists say this is the cause of the flying saucer effects.
19:24You know, maybe this is the answer.
19:26Perhaps the road ghost business is over and things will get back to normal.
19:30We hope that right, Gus.
19:32You hope it's right, Graywolf.
19:33Boy, how do you think I feel?
19:36Let's let things stand the way they are and see what happens, I guess.
19:40Right.
19:42Thanks a million, fellas.
19:43I appreciate your help more than you know.
19:45That's okay, Sonny.
19:47Maybe we scared off them there road ghost characters for good.
19:52Sure.
19:53When they found out you and Graywolf were tracking them,
19:55they knew their little game was about to be nipped in the bud.
19:59Well, let's head for home, fellas.
20:01Our job is done.
20:07You know, I get a good feeling inside when a tough problem or job is done.
20:13Yeah, I know what you mean, pal.
20:15It's real satisfaction to see the smile come back into Gus' face.
20:19Yeah.
20:20Hey, look at this fishing tackle in the window.
20:23Yeah.
20:24Boy, that's sure some set of bass flies.
20:26Sure is.
20:28Had to get our stuff out of storage and give it a going over.
20:31Before we know it, the fishing season will be open.
20:33Yeah, I know.
20:35Say, are we going to fish the Big Falls River this year?
20:39You like to live dangerously, don't you?
20:41Well, not exactly.
20:43But, man, the trout that's in that river.
20:46Boy, the giants those fellas are.
20:49If I could just hook one of those great granddaddies, I'd be satisfied.
20:52Well, we'll have to see what we can do to make up for it.
20:56Hey, you aren't joking, are you?
20:58No, I'm not.
21:00Well, we better head back home, hit the hay.
21:02Yeah, I've got exams in the morning,
21:04and then I have to meet you fellas out on the trail in the afternoon.
21:08Yeah, let's go home.
21:27Hey, Bill.
21:29There's a note Mom left for you.
21:31There was a call for you while you were out.
21:33Oh, who was it?
21:35Gus McDougal.
21:37Huh? Gus?
21:39What does he want?
21:41There's been another accident.
21:43He wants you to go right over to his office.
21:46I'm telling you, Mr. McDougal,
21:48I wouldn't ride in one of your buses again
21:51for all the gold in the United States mint.
21:53I'm going to write to the Commerce Commission.
21:55Have your license revoked.
21:57Neither you nor your driver is fit to run a bus line.
22:00Wait until my dad hears about the accident.
22:02That's how you're going to get paid,
22:04by making a mess of business.
22:06I can't wait to hear from him.
22:09I have to go home.
22:11I'm sorry, Gus.
22:13My dad hears about the accident. He'll call his lawyer and have him sue you.
22:17You just better hope I didn't get hurt.
22:19Whoever heard of anything so absolutely ridiculous as seeing ghosts of animals on the road?
22:24You fellas ought to be locked up and not let out unless there's a guard with you.
22:29Please, now, folks, if you'll sign these forms, everything will be taken care of.
22:37I'm really sorry this happened, and I'll make sure that it won't happen again.
22:41Maybe you can fool some of the people some of the time, but it'll catch up with you.
22:45What's the use of sounding off, fellas?
22:47Write to the proper authorities and have their license taken away.
22:51Let's get out of here and be thankful that we're still alive.
22:55I'll see my lawyer about this.
22:58Hey, young fella, those folks are hopping mad, like a grasshopper on a hot rock.
23:04Yes, and they've got a good right to be mad.
23:07What happened, Gus?
23:09Sandy saw another road ghost.
23:12He almost had a head-on collision.
23:14Wow, that's not so good.
23:16You're telling me.
23:18I'm ruined now, that's for sure.
23:20Anybody hurt this time?
23:22No, and I'm thankful for that.
23:26Bill, what's the answer?
23:27What is this, this road ghost stuff?
23:29Are the ghosts real?
23:30Yes, they are.
23:32What do you mean, Bill?
23:33Hey, are you telling us that you believe in ghosts?
23:36I didn't say that, pal.
23:39The ghosts are real to the drivers, however.
23:42Now, wait a minute!
23:43That remark's looted!
23:45Explain yourself, Sonny.
23:47Now, what do you hold back?
23:48Yes, for the sake of my own sanity, what's the score, Bill?
23:52It's a scientific fact that fatigued drivers see animals jumping across the road in front of them.
23:59You can call them road ghosts if you want to.
24:02That's strange.
24:04Well, I guess my drivers aren't resting enough away from the job, eh, Bill?
24:08I don't think that's the answer, Gus.
24:10Well, then, what is the answer?
24:12What's causing this fatigue?
24:14You are.
24:15Me?
24:17Why, of all the no-good remarks I've ever heard, this one takes the cake.
24:22I treat my drivers better than most bosses do.
24:25They've got all kinds of fringe benefits.
24:28They get a Christmas bonus as well as good pay.
24:31I pay better than 95% of all the other transportation outfits.
24:35You hear me, Bill Jefferson?
24:37How can I help but hear you?
24:39You still say it's me?
24:40I do.
24:41Well, I don't believe it.
24:42What am I doing to my men that makes them so tired they see ghost animals when they're driving at night?
24:48The haul from Centerville to Notty Pine is too long, Gus.
24:52What do you mean, too long?
24:54It's 450 miles.
24:55That's only 50 miles over the normal distance allowed for each driver.
25:00What's another 50 miles to a good man behind the wheel?
25:03You should have your drivers change at Junction City.
25:07This wouldn't happen.
25:08What do you know about bus driving?
25:11Listen, I've been in this game for years.
25:13I don't believe a word you're saying.
25:14That's all right with me, Gus.
25:17I tried to say something sooner, but I got a reaction just like this.
25:22I'm only trying to help.
25:23Help?
25:25Listening to you is more demoralizing than all the accidents put together.
25:28Perhaps.
25:30If you won't listen now, I think you will after you're broke and out of business.
25:36I suggest that you drive a bus yourself from Centerville to Notty Pine.
25:53Boy, riding in this empty bus sure feels funny.
25:56Yeah, does it that, pal.
25:59Are Stumpy and Gray Wolf still behind us?
26:02Sure, uh-huh.
26:03Now, we ought to know the facts in half an hour.
26:06Are we that close to Notty Pine?
26:08Uh-huh.
26:09But what if Gus sees a road ghost and we crack up?
26:12Well, I'll be up there with him, ready to grab the wheel if he sees one.
26:16Do you think Gus will be convinced you're right?
26:18I don't know.
26:20He's pretty stubborn.
26:21Not we'll know in a short while.
26:26Is it time yet?
26:28Yeah, we're entering the five-mile stretch where all the accidents have happened.
26:32Let's go up front.
26:34Hold on! He's seen a ghost!
26:45You fellas all right?
26:47Yeah, we're okay, Stumpy.
26:49You stopped funny short, Gus.
26:51And good thing bus only hit tree.
26:53Well, you'd have tipped over.
26:55What happened, Sonny? See a road ghost?
26:59No, not exactly.
27:02What do you mean, Gus?
27:04My eyes started playing tricks on me.
27:08I saw extra beams of light.
27:10It was like I was hypnotized.
27:15Boy, am I tired.
27:18If you'd have kept going, you probably would have seen a ghost animal.
27:23Yeah, you're right, Bill.
27:26Well, thanks to you, I can save my business.
27:29I'll have the drivers change at Junction City instead of Knotty Pine.
27:33That's the idea, Sonny.
27:35Now the boys won't be tired from driving.
27:39This is the end of the road ghosts.
27:50Well, how about that?
27:52The drivers were actually seeing ghosts.
27:54Not real ones, but imaginary animals because of fatigue.
27:59Boy, Bill sure can stick to his guns if he knows he's right.
28:03I wonder if Bill's remarks about the Lord in prayer will sink into Gus's mind.
28:08Who knows what happens when the gospel seeds are sown.
28:12The Lord will see to it that they're not sown in vain.
28:15We'll see you next week for more adventure with...
28:19Ranger Bill!
28:24RANGER BILL
28:30RANGER BILL
28:50Hi, fellas and gals, Ranger Bill again,
28:53stepping in here for less than a minute
28:56to invite all of you out there to another half hour of adventure
29:00next week at this special spot on your radio dial.
29:05We've gathered a pile of stories for you
29:08with mystery and adventure and all kinds of excitement,
29:12and we don't want you to miss a single one.
29:15So next time, ball up your friends or get together with them
29:19and join all of us rangers for a session of fighting forest fires,
29:24grappling with grizzly bears, or just plain trying to help somebody out.
29:29I'm sure you'll enjoy the story,
29:32and you might just learn something that'll be of real help to you in later life.
29:37So next week, be sure to listen.
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