Written by Robert L McCullough & Philip John Taylor
Directed by Ray Austin

First US Airdate 10 October 1992   Episode 4.1

[Exterior shot of the de la Vega hacienda.]

Diego [off camera]
Are you sure you can't stay any longer, Don Emilio?

[Don Alejandro, Diego, and Don Emilio walk along the hacienda courtyard wall.]

Don Emilio
If only I could.

Don Alejandro
Ah, your work here is done.  Come, why not?  You'll enjoy yourself.  The time to relax is now.

[The men walk through a gate.]

Don Emilio
I don't think King Ferdinand would appreciate it if his colonial tax collector turned his trip into a vacation.
 
Diego
Probably not. From what we hear, he needs all the money he can get before the Alliance Conference in Verona next year.

[The men stop in front of the de la Vega stables.]

Don Emilio
Music, literature. . .and politics, too, Diego?  You've raised quite the Renaissance man here, Alejandro.

Don Alejandro
Yes.  Here's something else I raised, Emilio. [He points to his right as a horse snorts off camera.] The finest racehorse in all the colonies.

[Don Emilio goes over and touches the brown horse on the nose.]

Don Emilio
What a handsome fellow.

Don Alejandro
In honor of our new friendship. . . [He looks over at Diego who nods, then back at Don Emilio.] I'm going to name him Emilio.  Oh, no. [He and Don Emilio embrace.] Amigo.

Don Emilio [as they walk away from the stables]
In all my years serving the Spanish Crown, I have never known such hospitality.  You have made my stay in Los Angeles truly memorable.

Don Alejandro
By the way,   [They come up to a man holding the reins of a horse.] I don't see an escort.  You're not riding to Monterey without one, are you?

Don Emilio [as he mounts the horse]
Of course not.  I've got two men waiting to ride north with me just outside the pueblo.

Don Alejandro
Than's excellent.  Listen, when you get back to Madrid, give everyone there our best regards.

Don Emilio
I will, amigos.  Until next year then.  Adios.

[He waves as he starts to ride off to his left. Diego and Don Alejandro return the wave.]

Diego [turning and walking toward the hacienda]
Well, Don Emilio's certainly more impressive that the clerks the King usually sends to collect his taxes.

Don Alejandro [walking with Diego]
Indeed he is.  A cultured man.  Charming.  I almost feel homesick for Madrid, Diego.

[They both chuckle.]

[Exterior shot of the plaza as two women stand near the fountain.  Three men ride into the pueblo.]

Diego [off camera at first]
Are you sure these Andalusian oats are really necessary, Father?

[Exterior shot to the left of the tavern as Diego and Don Alejandro lift a large white bag into the back of a wagon.]

Don Alejandro
The finest grains for the finest racehorse in the colonies, Diego.

[The three rider come to a halt in front of de Soto's office and dismount.  One of the men (dressed in an odd uniform) holds the horse of the man who walks toward the office.]

Don Alejandro [turning around and looking at the tavern]
Victoria. . .  That gentleman over there. . .  Do you know who he is?

[Victoria is sitting at a table on the tavern's front porch.  Mendoza sits across from her.]

Victoria [getting to her feet]
I have no idea. [She leans toward Mendoza.] Do you know, Sergeant?

[Mendoza shrugs.]

de Soto [off camera]
Mendoza!

Mendoza
Uh-oh. . .  Madre de Dios.

[De Soto comes out of his office followed by the man.]

de Soto
Mendoza, get over here!

[Mendoza jumps up and runs across the plaza.]

de Soto
That's impossible. [He looks over at Mendoza who comes up to him and the man.] Did we or did we not just pay over twelve thousand pesos in taxes to the Spanish Crown?

Mendoza
Si, Alcalde.  Don Emilio Alonzo was just here.

de Soto
Thank you, Sergeant.  I just wanted to be sure I wasn't having a bad dream.

[Diego and Don Alejandro walk over to where de Soto, Mendoza, and the man are standing in the plaza.]

de Soto [to the man]
Señor, as alcalde of this pueblo, I am, of course, a loyal officer to King Ferdinand.  But I must tell you, for you to arrive here the day after his royal tax collector has departed with our annual levies, demanding still further assessments from. . . [He waves his hand around.] these good people, is nothing less than outrageous.

Don Alejandro [stepping forward as does Victoria]
Excuse me, Señor.  Obviously there's been some sort of mistake.

Man
If there is a mistake, you're the ones who made it.

[He hands de Soto a scroll.  De Soto unrolls it.]

Diego [looking over de Soto's shoulder]
Bears the King's seal.

[De Soto turns and gives Diego a look.  Then he looks back at the scroll.]

de Soto [reading from the scroll]
This letter introduces Don Fernando Solea, Royal Tax Collector and Assessor. . . [He mumbles as he read the rest of the scroll.] King of Spain.

Victoria
Then who was the man we paid our taxes to?

Solea
If he's the man I think he is. . .  Blue eyes, tall, handsome, charming. . .?

Mendoza [pointing at Solea]
Si, si, that's him!

Solea
He's a brilliant swindler, known throughout the Spanish colonies as El Conejo.

Don Alejandro
You expect me to believe Don Emilio Alonzo, my friend, is a common thief?

[De Soto rolls up the scroll, obviously upset.]

*****COMMERCIAL BREAK*****

[Exterior shot of the plaza where de Soto, Solea, Mendoza, Victoria, Don Alejandro, and Diego stand around in a circle.]

Victoria
But we already paid them.

Solea
Not to the Spanish Crown.  To El Conejo.

Mendoza
Señor, I'm afraid the people in this pueblo cannot pay their taxes twice.  King Ferdinand will just have to understand.

Solea
The King of Spain is not very understanding these days. [to de Soto] I would not let word of this reach Madrid.  The King has grown extremely fond of public executions.

[Mendoza puts his hand to his throat.]

de Soto
Sergeant, form a search party immediately.  We're going after El Conejo.

Mendoza
Si, Alcalde.

[He and de Soto make their way through the crowd toward de Soto's office.  Victoria walks past Diego and Don Alejandro  with a worried expression.]

Diego
Think they'll catch him?

Don Alejandro [angrily]
If El Conejo outsmarted us, his lancers don't stand a chance.

[He walks past Diego as he goes to his left.  Diego rolls his eyes and follows.]

[Exterior wide shot of the de la Vega hacienda.]

[Interior shot of the de la Vega hacienda as Diego and Felipe walk into the library.]

Diego
Yes, my father is very angry.  And naming his best horse after a thief is truly salt in the wound.

[They reach the fireplace and Diego touches the mantle before turning back to Felipe.]

Diego
If we move quickly, Zorro might be able to help.

Don Alejandro [off camera]
(Something unintelligible that neither I nor the captioners could understand.)

[Diego touches the mantle again and the panel closes.  Diego and Felipe turn their backs to the fireplace, blocking it from view.]

Don Alejandro [stopping in the foyer]
Ah, Diego, there you are. [He walks toward Diego and Felipe.] Saddle up your horse, son.  We're going after him.

Diego [stepping toward Don Alejandro]
Now, Father?  I'm sure your letter to the governor will solve a lot of problems.

Don Alejandro [angrily]
A letter to the governor will not get my Emilio back.

Diego
What?

Don Alejandro
Yes, the stallion is gone.  Alonzo, Alfonso, El Conejo, stole him.

Diego
The garrison horses can't give your stallion much of a chase.

Don Alejandro
Exactly.  Our Andalusians are the ones who stand a prayer of a chance.  Come, let's go.  We can't lose a moment.

Diego
But, Father. . .

Don Alejandro
Don't ‘But, Father' me.  Our horse was stolen.  It's our property.  I want it back.   Let's go!

[He turns and walks out of the library.  Diego starts to follow him but stops and turns toward Felipe, then makes a ‘Z' in the air with his right index finger.  Felipe smiles and nods.  He turns and touches the mantle then ducks through the opening panel.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as de Soto, Mendoza, and three other lancers ride slowly then come to a halt.  Mendoza dismounts then turns to look up at de Soto.]

Mendoza
This is impossible, mi Alcalde. [He turns to his left at bushes and rocks.] No man can go through there, much less a horse.  This Conejo is a very smart hombre.  He has a reputation for laying false tracks to mislead anybody who is following him.

de Soto
Well, it seems to be the only trail out of here, Sergeant.  Lead the way.

Mendoza [incredulously]
Me?

de Soto [sarcastically]
If it's not too much to ask.

Mendoza
Uh. . . [He turns and starts leading his horse to the bushes to his left.] Camina, caballito, camina.  Camina.(Translation: Go, little horse, go.  Go.)  [He steps into the bushes.] Ay, malditas, ay! (Translation:  Ay, dammit, ay!)

de Soto [looking agitated]
Help your sergeant, lancers.

[The other three lancers start leading their horses up to where Mendoza is slowly entering the bushes.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Mendoza leads his horse up a hillside.  De Soto rides up to Mendoza's left as the other lancers stop behind him.]

de Soto [looking downward]
Here is the spot that we made the wrong turn, Sergeant.

Mendoza
The right turn would be to turn around and go home.

de Soto
He's a very clever man, Sergeant.  He covered his tracks with a branch to mislead us. [Mendoza tips his head and shrugs as de Soto points forward.] There are the right ones, leading up there.

[Exterior shot of a cave near the top of the hill.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Mendoza looks up at the cave.]

Mendoza
A cave?

de Soto
Not just a cave, Sergeant.  A rabbit's hole.

[Mendoza nods.]

de Soto
Dismount and follow me.

[De Soto dismounts his horse then goes to his right.]

[Exterior of the cave as a bird screeches overhead.]

Mendoza [crouching behind a rock]
Alcalde, Alcalde.

de Soto [irritatedly as he turns around]
What?

Mendoza
You were right.

de Soto [point to his left]
Search the cave, Sergeant.  I'll cover you.

[He holds up a pistol in his right hand.  Mendoza starts forward then stops.]

Mendoza
It's dark in there. [He points to Sepulveda crouching down behind him.] Sepulveda has better eyes than I do.  Private.

Sepulveda [standing up]
All right, Sergeant, I'll go.

[He walks past de Soto and up the hill.]

Mendoza
He's such a brave man.

de Soto [turning to Mendoza and sneering]
A brave man.  He just wants the reward for El Conejo. [He pauses for a moment.] Private. . . [He stands up.]  I said follow me!

[He and Mendoza hurry up the hill.]

[Exterior shot of the top of the cave where El Conejo looks downward.]

[Exterior shot of the cave as de Soto, Mendoza, and Sepulveda come up to its entrance.]

Sepulveda [turning around and beckoning with his left hand]
Pronto.  Pronto.

[The other three lancers come up behind him.  De Soto and Mendoza enter the cave.]

[Interior shot of the cave as de Soto, Mendoza, and the other lancers step inside.]

[Exterior shot of the top of the cave where El Conejo pushes some rocks and they tumble downward.]

[Exterior shot of the cave as the rock falls down on Mendoza and the other lancers.]

Lancers
Look out!  Let's get out of here!

[A cloud of dust obscures the cave's entrance.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Don Alejandro brings his horse to a halt.]

Don Alejandro [pointing forward]
Look at there.  [Diego rides up behind Don Alejandro.] He made one set of tracks to fool us.  Then he doubled back and went up deeper into the ravine.  He covered his real tracks with a branch.

Diego
Looks to me as if both trails are false.

Don Alejandro [chuckling]
I'm sorry, Diego, but what you know about tracking actually would not fit a thimble.]

[Closeup shot of Felipe hiding behind a bush as he looks downward, holding the reins of his horse and Toronado.]

Don Alejandro
Diego, please, stay with me, son. [He urges his horse forward.] Dulcinea!

[He rides into the ravine.  Diego turns his horse and points to his left before following Don Alejandro.]

[Closeup shot of Felipe as he ducks back behind the bush.]

[Interior shot of the cave as Mendoza walks to his right.]

Mendoza
Alcalde, [Somebody coughs.] Martinez and Cruz, they're in pain but they will live. . .  If we live.

de Soto
Oh, Sergeant, [He points at holes between the rocks blocking the entrance.] See those shafts of light.  There's air coming through.  We're not going to suffocate.

[He wipes his face with his gloved hand.]

Mendoza
Yes, but if somebody doesn't find us soon, we could starve to death.

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Don Alejandro rides his horse out from behind some trees into a grassy clearing.  Diego comes up behind him.]

[Interior shot of the cave where Sepulveda, Mendoza, and de Soto sit near the blocked entrance.  Horse sounds are heard off camera.]

Sepulveda [looking at the entrance]
Someone is coming!

de Soto
What?

[Sepulveda, Mendoza, and de Soto all get to their feet and try to look through the holes between the rocks.]

Sepulveda, Mendoza, and de Soto
Help!  Help!  Help!

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Don Alejandro and Diego ride through the grassy clearing side by side.]

Sepulveda, Mendoza, and de Soto [off camera]
Help!  Help!  Over here!

[Diego starts to ride off to his left and Don Alejandro follows.]

Don Alejandro
Listen!

[Diego and Don Alejandro bring their horses to a halt then dismount.]

Sepulveda, Mendoza, and de Soto
Help!  Help!  Over here!  Help!

[Interior shot of the cave as Mendoza, de Soto, and Sepulveda stand near the blocked entrance.]

Sepulveda, Mendoza, and de Soto
Help!  We're in here!  Help!  Here!

[Mendoza coughs then sits back down.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Don Alejandro and Diego run and jump over rocks.]

Diego
Up there, by the cave.

[They walk up to the blocked entrance.]

[Interior shot of the cave as de Soto and Sepulveda stand near the block entrance while Mendoza still sits to de Soto's left.]

Sepulveda and de Soto
Over here!  Help!  Who's there?  Help!  We're in here!

[Closeup shot of Diego and Don Alejandro.]

Don Alejandro
Don't worry!  We'll get you out!

[He steps to his left as Diego crosses his arms over his chest.]

de Soto [off camera]
De la Vega!  De la Vega!  Is that you?

[Exterior shot of the cave as Don Alejandro goes over and tries to move one of the rocks blocking the entrance.]

Don Alejandro [as he pushes on the rock]
Hyah. . .    [It doesn't move and he looks over at Diego.] Come on, Diego, lend a hand.

Diego [a little bitterly as he still stands with his arms crossed]
I may not know enough about tracking to fill a thimble, Father, but I do know a thing or two about leverage.

[He turns around and looks behind him then walks in that direction.]

Don Alejandro [stepping away from the rock]
Diego, not one of your foolish experiments.  Not now!  Please!

[Exterior shot of the top of the cave as El Conejo climbs up further on the rocks.]

[Exterior shot of the cave as Diego walks forward, carrying a long branch.]

Diego
As Archimedes said, ‘Give me lever long enough, and I'll move the world'.

[He pokes the branch into a hole between the rocks as Don Alejandro watches.  Diego presses down on the branch slowly then the rocks blocking the cave entrance come tumbling down, reopening the cave.]

Don Alejandro [off camera]
Well done, Diego!  Well done!

[De Soto, Mendoza, and the lancers cheer off camera.  Diego and Don Alejandro move forward as de Soto, Mendoza, and the other lancers come out of the cave, coughing and waving their hands around.]

de Soto
El Conejo. . . He trapped us!

[He sits down on a nearby rock.]

Mendoza
Gracias, amigo.  We nearly starved to death.

Don Alejandro [chidingly]
Sergeant. . .

[He and Diego help the injured lancers out of the cave.]

de Soto [standing up]
Oh, no, the horses. . .  He scattered them.

[Closeup shot of El Conejo as he crouches down behind a rock and smiles.  A horse is waiting in the background.]

[Exterior shot of the cave as Don Alejandro and Diego continue to help the lancers.]

Diego [to de Soto as a lancer hops by on one foot]
Your men are in no condition to make the hike back to town.

Don Alejandro
You're right, Diego. [He turns to de Soto.] Alcalde, he and I will ride back to town and send some wagons out for you.

Diego
Ah. . .  But, Father. . .  If El Conejo returns, there should be at least one of us here to give chase on horseback.  I'll go for help.

[He goes off to his right.]

Don Alejandro [nodding]
Right again, Diego.

[Closeup shot of El Conejo as he turns and goes over to his horse.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Diego sits astride his horse.  He turns it around.]

Don Alejandro [off camera at first]
If El Conejo shows his face, I'll be here.  Ready to pursue a fresh trail.

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Diego rides his horse past a row of trees.  He brings his horse to a halt then dismounts.  Felipe waits by a tree with Toronado.]

Diego
Ride back to the garrison and tell them to send a couple of wagons for the alcalde and his men. [He pats Felipe's right arm.] Zorro the Fox is going to hunt El Conejo. . .the Rabbit.

[Felipe leads his own horse to the left as Diego takes black clothing out of Toronado's (brown!) saddlebags.  Felipe rides off across the countryside then down a hill.]

[Closeup shot of El Conejo as he walks along a ridge.]

[Closeup shot of Felipe riding his horse.  A rope suddenly goes across his chest, knocking him off his horse.  He lands on his back onto the ground then a net falls on him]

[Closeup shot of El Conejo as he rides his horse down a hillside to where Felipe is being lifted off the ground, still caught in the net.  El Conejo smiles then chuckles evilly.]

El Conejo [as Felipe struggles to free himself]
Well, well, well. . .  The de la Vega's servant boy. [He shakes his head then points to his chest.] You tried to hunt me?  Those who pursue me become my prey.  And once I have them trapped, they die.

[Closeup shot of Felipe in the net, looking very worried.]

[Closeup shot of El Conejo as he smiles then rides off to his left, then turns right and looks to his right.]

[Closeup shot of a very worried Felipe.]

*****COMMERCIAL BREAK*****

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Zorro rides Toronado across a rocky meadow.]

[Closeup shot of El Conejo as he fiddle with his horse's saddlebags.]

El Conejo
So . .  You want to play, eh?

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Zorro and Toronado rides across it.]

El Conejo [off camera]
Well, I won't disappointment.

[Closeup shot of El Conejo standing by his horse.]

El Conejo [moving to his left]
Now for my little surprise.

[Exterior shot of the cave entrance where de Soto, Mendoza, Don Alejandro, and the other three lancers sit around on rocks.]

de Soto [shaking his head]
What could I have been thinking of?  Sending Diego for help is like asking Sergeant Mendoza to guard a plate of roast chicken.

Don Alejandro [indignantly]
Just one minute, Alcalde.  My son, Diego, went for help and he'll be here soon.  You'll see.

de Soto [skeptically]
Ah, he's probably lost.  The man is stupendously useless.

[He stands up and walks off to his left.]

[Closeup shot of Zorro and Toronado as they ride slowly through rocks and trees then come to a halt.]

Zorro [as Toronado snorts and tosses his head]
Easy, boy.

[Closeup shot of a loop of rope lying on the ground.]

[Closeup shot of Zorro shaking his head.]

Zorro
He's a dangerous one.  All right, boy.

[He urges Toronado forward.]

[Closeup shot of the rope lying on the ground.]

[Closeup shot of Zorro and Toronado as they come to a halt again.]

[Closeup shot of several large logs tied together at the top of a hill.]

[Closeup shot of Zorro and Toronado as they ride forward.]

[Closeup shot of the rope on the ground as Zorro and Toronado jump over it.]

[Closeup shot of Zorro and Toronado as they spin around after they land.]

[Closeup shot of one of Toronado's front hooves as it steps on a branch that is tied to a rope.  The camera moves over to where the rope is tied to a tree then across to where it is tied to a rock wedged under a log.]

[Closeup shot of Zorro as he looks around nervously.]

[Closeup shot of the rock being pulled out from under the log.  The camera pans upward to where the logs tied up on the top of the hill start rolling downward.]

[Shot from the log's point of view of Zorro and Toronado at the bottom of the hill.]

[Closeup shot of the logs rolling downward.]

[Closeup shot of Zorro as he ducks as logs fall down on him.  Toronado whinnies off camera.]

[Closeup shot of El Conejo as he looks down from the top of the hill.]

[Shot from El Conejo's point of view of Zorro and Toronado as they start riding up the hill to the left of the log pile at the bottom of the hill.]

[Closeup shot of de Soto, Mendoza, Don Alejandro, and Sepulveda as they all stand facing the same way.]

de Soto
Ah. . .  We could have been there and back twice by this time.

[He turns to face the others and starts to button his jacket.]

Mendoza
Alcalde, he probably got lost.

Don Alejandro
All right!  So Diego isn't a a tracker.  At least he know his way back home, yes?

de Soto [ignoring Don Alejandro]
I'm taking your horse and going for help myself.

Don Alejandro
Excuse me, I don't think that's a good idea.  I'd better go.

de Soto
Nonsense, de la Vega!  I'm in command here.  These are my men who need medical attention.  I'll be the one to alert the garrison.

[He turns his back on Don Alejandro.]

Don Alejandro [taking a step forward]
Alcalde. . .

[Sepulveda and another lancer grab Don Alejandro's arms.]

de Soto [turning to face Don Alejandro]
What?

Don Alejandro
I'm just warning you. [The lancers let go of his arms.] Dulcinea will tolerate nothing less than the best horsemanship.

de Soto [laughing]
Don Alejandro, please.  I graduated from the Academy with equestrian honors.  I think I can handle a common saddle horse.

[He turns around and walks off.  Don Alejandro sighs.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as de Soto tries to mount Dulcinea who starts spinning when he puts his foot in the stirrup.  He finally gets onto her back but she starts spinning around even faster.]

de Soto
Whoa!

[Closeup shot of Dulcinea's hooves then the camera pans upward toward de Soto's face.  Dulcinea whinnies loudly then starts bucking, bounding de Soto up and down in the saddle.]

[Closeup shot of Don Alejandro and Mendoza as they watch.  Don Alejandro is smiling.]

de Soto [off camera]
Oh!  Oh!

[Closeup shot of de Soto as he flies through the air and lands in a bush.]

de Soto
Aah!

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Dulcinea as she runs off to her left.]

[Closeup shot of de Soto lying on his back on the ground.]

de Soto [as he tries to sit up]
Ah!  Argh!  Uh!

[Exterior shot of the cave entrance where Don Alejandro, Mendoza, and the other three lancers stand and watch.]

de Soto [off camera]
Mendoza!

Mendoza [as he steps forward then looks up]
Yo voy, mi Alcalde! (Translation:  I see, my Alcalde.)

de Soto [off camera]
Lancers!

[The rest of the lancers run forward.  Don Alejandro stands there and smiles smugly.]

Don Alejandro
Common saddle horse.  Dulcinea.

[He salutes then starts laughing.]

[Closeup shot of El Conejo's back as he rides his horse up a hill.  He comes to a halt near the top then dismounts.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Zorro rides Toronado through a creek.]

[Closeup shot of El Conejo as he climbs up the hillside.]

[Closeup shot of the creek.  The camera pans over to where Zorro rides Toronado up to the creek's edge.]

[Closeup shot of hoof prints in the mud.  (Shot first used in "Honor Thy Father" of the special horse shoes that are ‘D' shaped instead of ‘U' shaped.)]

[Closeup shot of Zorro as he looks downward.]

Zorro
Ah, too obvious.

[Closeup shot of Zorro and Toronado riding away.]

[Closeup shot of El Conejo as he stands up at the top of the hill.  His expression grows concerned.]

[Closeup shot of Toronado's hooves as they splash through the water of the creek.]

[Closeup shot of El Conejo as he runs his hand through his hair, looking very worried.]

[Closeup shot of Zorro as he brings Toronado to a halt then immediately urges him forward again.]

[Closeup shot of El Conejo as the top of the hill, the worry on his face disappearing and replaced with a smile as he looks downward.]

El Conejo
Congratulations, Señor!

[Closeup shot of Zorro as he spins Toronado around then looks upward.]

El Conejo [off camera]
You're the finest tracker I've ever seen.

[Closeup shot of El Conejo at the top of the hill.]

El Conejo [as he steps up onto some rocks]
It's too bad you've reached the end of your trail.

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Zorro sits astride Toronado.  El Conejo tosses something down that lands to Zorro's right as Zorro watches.  A pile of brush starts to smoke then catches fire.  Zorro looks around as the fire quickly grows.  Toronado whinnies nervously.]

[Closeup shot of El Conejo at the top of the hill as he turns and walks off to his right.]

[Closeup shot of Zorro as he is surrounded by flames.]

[Closeup shot of one of Toronado's front hooves as it paws at the ground while he whinnies loudly.  The camera pans up to Toronado's head as he turns around to his right.]

[Exterior shot of the countryside as Zorro dismounts Toronado then tries to lead him up the rocky hillside.]

Zorro
Come on, boy!  Follow me!

[Toronado starts climbing up the hillside as Zorro tugs on the reins.  They climb up near the top where Zorro ties Toronado's reins to a tree.]

Zorro
Well done, boy.  Good fellow.

El Conejo [off camera at first]
Very good, Señor.

[He aims a pistol at Zorro who raises his hands slowly as he walks toward El Conejo.  El Conejo backs up as Zorro keeps coming forward.  They then circle each other.]

El Conejo [now standing next to Toronado]
That's truly an impressive horse you have there.  It's too bad that you won't be able to ride him again.

[Zorro nods to Toronado and winks.]

[Closeup shot of Toronado's left eyes as it winks back.]

[Closeup shot of El Conejo and Toronado as El Conejo steadies his pistol on his left arm as he takes aim.]

[Closeup shot of Toronado as he rears and whinnies loudly.]

[Closeup shot of one of Toronado's front hooves as it hits El Conejo in the back, causing him to fall forward as he fires the pistol.]

[Closeup shot of Zorro as he steps forward.  El Conejo jumps up and throws dirt at Zorro's face.  Zorro turns away.  El Conejo slashes at Zorro with a knife.  Zorro ducks then reaches up and grabs El Conejo's right arm which is holding the knife and forces it downward.  El Conejo then raises his left arm and Zorro grabs it, forcing it back down as well.  Zorro punches El Conejo in the face then grabs and  twists El Conejo's left arm behind his back with his left hand then grabs El Conejo's hair with his right hand, jerking El Conejo's head backward.  Zorro then puts his right arm around El Conejo's throat.]

Zorro [through clenched teeth]
There's some unhappy taxpayers in Los Angeles who would like to take a look in the saddlebags on that stolen horse, amigo.

El Conejo
Half of it is yours.  You can't turn me in!

Zorro [as he yanks on El Conejo's left arm harder behind his back]
I don't think Toronado would have it any other way.

[Toronado shakes his head emphatically.]

Zorro [playfully]
You know, I don't think he likes you.

El Conejo
You let me go or the boy will die.

Zorro [suddenly wary]
What boy?

El Conejo
The one who rides the pinto.

Zorro
Felipe?  What about him?

El Conejo
He's going to die. . .in my trap.

Zorro [tightening his arm around El Conejo's throat]
Where is he?

El Conejo [laughing]
You let me go and I'll tell ya.

Zorro
I have a better idea.

[He roughly pushes El Conejo forward.]

[Closeup shot of a canyon wall as El Conejo hangs upside down from a rope as Zorro and Toronado stand above him.]

[Closeup shot of Zorro and Toronado.]

Zorro [patting El Conejo's saddlebags resting on his left shoulder]
I'm just recovering the tax money you stole.  This is strictly between you and Toronado.  If I were you, I'd tell him exactly where Felipe is.

[Closeup shot of El Conejo as he hangs upside.]

El Conejo
If I tell him, will you let me go?

[Closeup shot of Toronado moving forward.]

[Exterior shot of the canyon wall as the rope slides forward.]

El Conejo [as he dangles lower]
Aah!  Aah!  He's going to kill me!

[Shot from El Conejo's point of view of the canyon floor.]

[Closeup shot of Zorro.]

Zorro [smiling]
Actually it's the fall that's going to kill you.

[Closeup shot of El Conejo as he continues to hang upside down.]

El Conejo
He's two miles from the pueblo. . .  In that river. . .  In that riverbed!

[Closeup shot of Zorro.]

Zorro [seriously]
In that case, I leave you to the alcalde and his men.]

[He takes out his dagger and cuts the rope that loops around Toronado's neck.  The other end of the rope slides forward but catches around a rock.]

[Exterior shot of the canyon wall as El Conejo slips down a little lower.]

El Conejo
Aah!  Aah!

[Closeup shot of the knot in the rope around the rock.]

[Closeup shot of El Conejo, still hanging upside down.]

El Conejo
It's all a trick!

[Closeup shot of Zorro and Toronado.]

Zorro
I seek no man's death, only the truth. [He raises his right hand.] Adios, Señor Conejo.

[He turns to Toronado.]

[Closeup shot of the still upside down El Conejo.]

El Conejo
Aah!  Aah!

[Shot from El Conejo's point of view of the canyon floor.]

El Conejo [off camera]
Aah!  Aah!

*****COMMERCIAL BREAK*****

[Exterior shot of the plaza as Solea and his two guards ride away from de Soto's office as townspeople watch.]

Mendoza [off camera at first]
Perhaps if you leaned on me.

[Mendoza and de Soto walk slowly across the plaza as Mendoza offers de Soto his arm.  De Soto puts his hand on Mendoza's shoulder then takes a step.]

de Soto [pulling up his leg]
Aah! [He takes his hand off Mendoza's shoulder.] Sergeant, just leave me alone.

[He starts to walk off gingerly across the plaza.]

Mendoza [following de Soto]
But you're in such pain.

de Soto
Nothing I can't handle.

Mendoza
I tried to get those, uh, the cactus out but see, they're such tiny little pins.  I. . .

de Soto
I know, I know, I know.

Mendoza
Eensy-weensy. . . little tiny pins and they look like, almost like little arrows and, um. . .

[Don Alejandro and Diego sit astride their horses in front of the tavern.  Don Alejandro turns to Diego and starts laughing as he points to his right.]

Mendoza
And they're very sharp.  When they stick in. . .

de Soto [stopping and turning to face Mendoza]
Sergeant, would you shut up?

Don Alejandro [riding over to de Soto and Mendoza]
Splendid day, isn't it, Alcalde?

[De Soto sighs and looks up at Don Alejandro.]

Don Alejandro [as Diego rides up to his left]
Conejo Alonzo is in your jail.  The pueblo's tax money has been properly paid to Señor Solea. [Mendoza looks up proudly.] And my stallion is safely in the de la Vega corral.  All thanks to Zorro.

de Soto [disgustedly]
Zorro. . .  Where was he when we were stranded in that cave, hmm?  Where was he when I was seriously injured by that. . .that beast you so generously call a horse?

[Don Alejandro smiles smugly.]

Mendoza
He was probably following El Conejo.

[De Soto turns and gives Mendoza a dirty look.]

de Soto [turning back to Don Alejandro and Diego]
Speaking of which, [He looks up at Diego.] what happened to you? [Diego chuckles.] My ninety-eight year old grandmother could have ridden for help faster than that.

Diego [chuckling]
Well, my sense of direction isn't  what is should be.  Um. . .[He shrugs.] I got lost.

Don Alejandro
Oh, Diego, what am I going to do with you?

Diego
Luckily Felipe found me.  Um, otherwise you might still be out there.

[De Soto grunts unappreciatively.]

Don Alejandro
Oh, by the way, Alcalde, any time you want to ride another one of my horses, you just let me know, sir.

[He smiles smugly then nods.  Mendoza and de Soto wave as Diego and Don Alejandro ride away.  Mendoza bends down and pulls something from the back of de Soto's right thigh.]

de Soto [spinning around and facing Mendoza.]
Aah!

[He pushes Mendoza into the plaza fountain.]

*****END OF EPISODE*****

Transcribed by Pamela Elbert Poland  30 & 31 August 2007

This transcription is a not-for-profit publication produced solely for the enjoyment of other Zorro fans and is not intended to infringe upon any rights of Goodman/Rosen Productions, New World Television, Zorro Productions, the estate of Johnston McCulley or anyone else.

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