"The Cherokee Kid" (1927) is the fourth installment in the series of Tom Tyler Lost Silent Film Reconstructions. The year 1927 for Tom Tyler sees a new trend occurring in his silent films: some plots start to contain mature themes. "The Cherokee Kid" is one of them, with the next one being "The Desert Pirate", released soon after. This could have been to attract more adults into the demographic, perhaps as a way to encourage parents to attend local movie houses with their children. For example, the heavy, played by Jerry Pembroke, has two love interests, a pretend one with actress Carol Holloway and a genuine one, played by Sharon Lynn, who happens to be Tom's leading lady in this silent film.

"The Cherokee Kid" contains the usual amount of mystery, adventure and excitement of the old west in a Tom Tyler silent film. Set in Oro Valley in Arizona, numerous exciting fights take place between Tom and the bad guys who are in a family feud reminiscent of the Hatfields and McCoys. One exciting fight takes place between Tom and Jerry Pembroke which takes place in a lake, plus a near-drowning scene for Tom as he escapes both the bad guys and the sheriff.

What is noteworthy about "The Cherokee Kid" is that this is Tom Tyler's first silent film which does not have Frankie Darro as his youthful companion. Instead, another child actor plays his companion, James Van Horn. Much like Darro's characters, Van Horn's acting role as Red Flynne is fond of dogs and would give anything in the world to have a dog like Tom Tyler does, whose name is Bull.

Van Horn was also the same age as Frankie, both boys being born in the year 1917. When "The Cherokee Kid" was being made, Frankie was working on another silent film for FBO, "Little Mickey Grogan". "The Cherokee Kid" marks Van Horn's first appearance in film, but his career spanned well into the 1960's, primarily on television appearances, up until his death in 1966 at the age of 48. He did reunite with Tom Tyler in the following Lippert Pictures westerns: "Hostile Country", "Marshal of Heldorado", "West of the Brazos", and "Fast on the Draw", all from 1950.

As Rolphe McPherson, Pembroke's character is not without substance; he is devious enough to manipulate pretty much everyone in the story. Sadly, Pembroke only made two silent films, "The Cherokee Kid" and "There He Goes" in 1928 before disappearing from the silver screen for good. The beautiful Sharon Lynn complements Tom Tyler perfectly, having appeared in his earlier 1927 release from FBO, "Tom's Gang".

Many thanks to Lantern Media History for synopses and reviews, and Newspapers.com for promotional materials on this Tom Tyler silent film. Lobby cards and hi-res stills reproduced here are from my own physical Tom Tyler collection.

This translation of "Veloz Como el Rayo" is copyright Aventuras de Tom Tyler, 2024. No part of this translation, nor the Introduction, may be reproduced anywhere in any format. If you would like to link to this translation from your website, please contact me first at Aventurasdetomtyler_at_aventurasdetomtyler.com. Thank you! -Mary

Chapter 1: The Ambush

The ambush took place many years ago in the picturesque Oro Valley in Arizona, and in the style of the Corsican "vendettas", had a history of two feuding families: the Flynnes and the Duncans. Under the hot summer desert sun, John Flynne, owner of the north ranch in the valley, was heading on horseback towards the Catalina mountains, to purchase some plots of land.

At that moment, the barrel of a rifle hidden behind a tree was pointing at him, unnoticed by Flynne. He was oblivious to the imminent danger that emerged in his presence.

A shot suddenly sounded, and a bullet mortally wounded poor John Flynne, who fell from his horse onto the ground. Attempting to prop himself up using his shoulders, John looked around him for the murderer who had so treacherously wounded him.

Making a supreme effort to reach inside his shirt, he took out a notebook and pencil, writing upon a sheet of paper with a trembling hand the word "Enemies". Bleeding profusely, John Flynne finally fell back onto the ground, giving up the ghost.

Along that same stretch of road in the distance, riding a stallion, a handsome young man passed by smiling, followed by a good-natured dog named Bull.

The newcomer, who was a cowboy who called himself Bill, heard the shot; and after taking some necessary precautions, headed at a full gallop towards the place where the shot had sounded.

Bill only saw a middle-aged man lying on the ground, the man's horse gone. As Bill glanced around, no sign of the shooter was present.

With one jump Bill dismounted his horse and began to examine the wounded man to see if he could give him any help, but it turned out to be a useless effort. The man was dead.

Bill glanced at the notebook that was on the ground near the man and read the word that the deceased had written: "Enemies."

Bull, the dog that accompanied Bill, was the only one who witnessed the encounter, and at the sound of approaching cavalry, Bill said with all respect, addressing the dead man:

"Sorry, friend, but we're leaving... If they find us here, it would be very difficult for us to explain what happened."

Not wanting to be accused of a murder he did not commit, Bill jumped on his horse and galloped away, followed by his faithful dog.

Those who had chased away Bill were four cowboys employed on the ranch owned by John Flynne, and with whom was also his son, a fresh-faced, friendly twelve-year-old boy named Red.

Of the four men, Rolphe McPherson, foreman of the Flynne ranch, stood out in appearance and demeanor, being well over six feet tall and husky. He always tried by all means to one day become the new owner of the ranch.

A good match for Rolphe was Seth Daggart, who was a salaried employee from the same ranch, but in reality worked for McPherson. Naturally, Daggart always hoped to be McPherson's future partner in owning the ranch property. They dismounted from their horses, verifying that their employer was already dead.

Red Flynne, the youngest son of the murdered rancher, made efforts to drown out the sobs that came flooding into his throat.

McPherson and Daggart, looked at the notebook on the ground and read what John Flynne had written. McPherson spoke first:

"He must have seen the criminal. This means that the old Flynne/Duncan feud is still going on."

"Michael Duncan," Daggart answered, "is the only surviving member of that family and owner of that ranch, he will surely have returned and continued his destructive work."

A week later, John Flynne's heirs had been summoned to the notary's house in a small town in Oro Valley. Likewise, John Flynne's daughter Helen, who had hurriedly returned from a girls' boarding school in Tucson, appeared at the notary's summons upon hearing news of her father's death.

Once everyone was gathered and seated in front of where the notary sat behind his great big desk, the notary spoke in a serious voice, reading the last provisions of the deceased and which, in detail, stated:

"...and I bequeath to my daughter, Miss Helen Flynne, half of the Flynne ranch, which is my absolute property, and the other half passes into the possession of Rolphe McPherson, foreman of the ranch and a man of my trustworthiness."

After reading the will, the notary added on his own words:

"Apparently Mr. Flynne's idea was that the ranch should not be divided. A marriage between the two of you, Miss Flynne and Mr. McPherson, is what can keep it intact."

The notary and McPherson looked at each other, although in very different ways. McPherson turned his attention to the beautiful daughter of the deceased John Flynne.

Helen would never have thought of being married to McPherson, whose type she did not like, he was too brusque and rough in his mannerisms.

For his part, McPherson considered marriage with Helen to be his most fervent desire. He was very much attracted to her, even if she did not reciprocate. But then, he really was trying to keep her best interests at heart. If they married and both owned the property, she could still live in the very house she was born in and grew up in. What girl would not want to remain living on a prosperous ranch once owned by her father?

Once Helen collected herself, she finally replied:

"I am greatly surprised by this last wish of my father, and as for the purpose that you think you see in it, I believe a quick resolution is premature, since I do not want to mix interests with my destiny."

McPherson hesitated before speaking. "Of course," he indifferently, "this can't be resolved right now. Hopefully you will see that I have your best interests at heart."

Helen did not reply, and, getting up, she said goodbye to the notary, accompanied by her younger brother Red and McPherson.

When they reached the street, the sheriff came out to them, who, after giving his condolences to Helen, said:

"I believe the cause of your father's death was the result of the feud between the Duncans and the Flynnes."

The notary had followed them outside and replied: "Michael Duncan has not been seen in these surroundings for ten years, and there were even rumors that he had died in the war."

"But if these rumors were not true and he was seen in these surroundings, it would be very difficult for him to prove his innocence," McPherson pointed out.

While they were having this conversation, Red Flynne had approached Bill, who was saddling his horse nearby. Red said to him:

"Hey, Sir, I would like to have a dog like yours." Red looked fondly at Bull.

Bill smiled widely at the young boy. "Really, young man?" he asked.

"Yes, Sir."

Seth Daggart was watching Bill, with another crony of his who was also close to McPherson, and by order of the latter, approached Bill, asking him:

"You are Michael Duncan, aren't you?" Daggart and McPherson stood close enough to Bill to create a block so the newcomer in town could not easily escape.

Bill glanced at the two men and keeping his cards close to his chest, replied: "I am?"

"But you live on Duncan's old ranch, don't you?" Daggart and McPherson persisted at learning the man's true identity.

"You don't know who I am, or where I live," Bill interrupted, annoyed. "That is my business."

Both Daggart and McPherson were waiting for an answer like this one, as an excuse for fighting Bill, and with no further warning, the two of them began to beat him cleanly, while Red watched them and said:

"Why do you fight with a man who hasn't bothered anyone?"

Seth Daggart stood up from being on the ground, tackling Bill. He brought a hand across the back of the young boy, and that action further displeased Bill, who again started to wrestle Daggart and McPherson them on the ground.

Helen and the sheriff noticed the fight between the three men and came to calm things down. After the sheriff separated the three men, Daggart was the first to explain what happened, accusing Bill of starting the fight. As a witness, McPherson added:

"Daggart is right. It was the stranger who attacked him."

Helen had quickly taken a liking to the presence of that handsome young man named Bill who had come out in defense of her little brother and said:

"McPherson is not being honest. This stranger has come to my young brother Red's defense."

Faced with the facts of the matter, the sheriff considered himself convinced, ending the incident. Everyone who was gathered there separated, but not before Bill thanked Helen for his defense with a smile and a gentle handshake.

Chapter 2: The Unknown Horseman

McPherson and his henchmen were intrigued to learn in detail about the stranger's life, and speaking among themselves, they said:

"I'm starting to believe you're right; this man must be Michael Duncan."

"If it wasn't him, why would he live at the Duncan ranch and hide under the name of Bill?..."

McPherson, without knowing why, had the idea that Bill would get in his way of acquiring the Flynne ranch and what he would have to do.

Inevitably, Bill had fallen in love with the beautiful Miss Helen and wanted to thank her. He had gone to her house to see if he was lucky enough to find her, and by chance he saw her going out for a walk with her little brother Red. He approached them, holding his hat in his right hand, paying his respects and thanking them.

"If you stay here in town," Helen replied, "I hope that someday you will come to see us at the ranch."

Bill returned the favor. "It will be a pleasure for me to be able to see you again."

"And I will have a chance to play with his dog Bull," Red intervened.

They said goodbye and Bill took the road that led to the house of the abandoned Duncan ranch, which was in fact his home.

Inside the dilapidated ranch house, Bill lived with his faithful dog Bull. Now sitting at a small kitchen table, Bill watched Bull dance around as if to cheer him up. Soon Bill heard knocking on the door. He hurried to open it, and a man who could barely stand entered inside Bill's the house.

"I'm hurt," stammered the man at the door, bent over with his right hand on his left shoulder.

Bill helped him sit down and the strange man continued:

"Do you want to do something for me?"

Without hesitation Bill replied: "Why sure, I am happy to help you any way I can."

The stranger reached inside his shirt and withdrew a letter, handing it to Bill.

"Then take this letter to Rolphe McPherson...he is at the north ranch...I will wait for you here...and when you return you can bring a doctor, if you want." The man leaned back comfortably in the chair.

Bill wanted to give him medical attention first and foremost, but the wounded man told him:

"Don't worry about the wound, it is not serious...the letter is what interests me...My life depends on it..."

Bill gave the man a brief nod and turning away from him, left the house and headed in the direction of the north ranch.

As the days went by, Helen Flynne and Rolphe McPherson became official owners of the ranch, and although McPherson treated Helen like a sweetheart, she did not return his affections or pay much attention to him.

The Flynne ranch also had a housekeeper named Rose Conrad. She was also the eye of McPherson's affections, or at least that is what she believed. Rose was standing next to McPherson, who sat at a small desk going over household expenses when he spoke to her:

"That shipment of cattle has left us ten thousand dollars clean...and five thousand are mine..."

"You mean ours, don't you?" Rose replied.

"Yes," McPherson murmured, but with little enthusiasm.

Rose continued: "Also, I must remind you of your old promises. Don't forget, you always said we'd get married as soon as half of Flynne's ranch was yours."

McPherson did not like the direction the conversation was turning and tried to cut it off despite Rose's interest in knowing the thoughts of the man she considered her fiancé. But since Helen Flynne had arrived, Rose saw that the love that had initially inspired her in McPherson was fading away and becoming a vain illusion.

The conversation was cut short by the arrival of the sheriff in whose presence Rose left, but because she was very intrigued by McPherson's behavior, she stayed behind the door of the adjoining room, in order to listen to the conversation between the two of them.

The sheriff spoke first to McPherson: "I saw from your letter that you had to tell me something about Flynne's murder."

"I have reason," replied McPherson, "to believe that this new stranger in town who calls himself Bill is Michael Duncan."

"What reasons do you have for making such an accusation?" continued the sheriff.

"Very easy. He is the same age that Michael must have been, he knows the Duncan ranch inside out and he was seen here shortly before Flynne's death."

The sheriff paused before speaking. "Indeed, they are details that attract attention. Furthermore, the mere fact that he won't tell us his full name is enough to arrest him as a suspect."

This reply made McPherson happy as he was satisfied that his plans were developing in the way he desired.

From her hiding place, Rose had not forgotten a single word of what the two men had discussed, convincing herself of the bad intentions that McPherson had. Her affection for McPherson was diminishing, and she felt very jealous of Helen, who received the kind of romantic attention she yearned for from this man.

Meanwhile, Bill rode as fast as the wind, to carry out the order that the wounded man who had entered his home had requested.

The first person he ran into as soon as he arrived at the north ranch was the little boy: Red, who as soon as he saw his friend, took an old rifle, and pointing it at Bill, said very seriously:

"If you come to see my sister, you will have to talk to me first! I am the only man in the family!"

"Wow, young man," Bill replied, continuing the joke. "You really take it to heart."

Red did not lose sight of his target, but he did want to know who this young, handsome and charming man really was.

"Well, you cannot court my sister until you tell me your full name." Insistent, Red still watched Bill intently.

Bill raised his right eyebrow ever so slightly and replied: "This time I'm not coming to see your sister, and as for my full name, you'll know it very soon." These words satisfied Red and he lowered his rifle then changed the subject.

"I would like to have a dog like yours, Sir."

Bill did not hear Red, as he was eager to deliver the letter. Bill entered the ranch house and asked to see Rolphe McPherson.

While Bill had been speaking with Red, McPherson and the sheriff noticed his arrival, the former saying to the latter:

"Please enter this room, because I want you to witness the conversation I am going to have with this man and you will be convinced of my assertion."

McPherson turned to Bill and identified himself. "I am McPherson," he answered Bill. "I just wanted to apologize for wrongly accusing you the other day."

"It's not important. An injured man, who is at the Duncan ranch, asked me to deliver this letter to you. He told me his life depended on it." Bill handed the letter to McPherson. McPherson read it and thanked him for the assignment. Bill replied:

"Now I'm going to the town to look for a doctor."

Bill left promptly, and outside, he found Helen who was going for a ride on her horse. After Bill explained to her what had happened and the letter he had given to McPherson, Helen said:

"Will you allow me to go with you into town?"

Bill made a small sweeping gesture with his right arm as if to personally invite her, replied: "With great pleasure."

They both left in friendly camaraderie, joined shortly after by Red, who was a knight on his pony, wanted to be part of the group, saying:

"Bill and I are good friends, Helen...and I have given him permission to court you."

Helen's face reddened slightly, lowering her head while a subtle smile appeared on her face.

Red continued: "Bill loves his dog, and that's enough for me." With that, all three of them went in search of the doctor.

As soon as McPherson was alone, he called the sheriff, who witnessed the previous events, and read the letter that the sheriff gave him, which said:

Dear Rolphe:
These lines are to introduce you to Bill Duncan, a good friend of mine, the last member of the Duncan family.
Anything you do for him, his friend will truly appreciate it.
                                       -J. Calwell

"I already knew," McPherson exclaimed, "that it could not be someone other than Duncan!"" The sheriff looked at him incredulously.

"So, that story you've been telling me about the wounded man is true."

"Of course. If you cannot prove who gave you this letter, find out yourself."

And they agreed to go out in search of Bill to arrest him.

Soon they caught up with Bill accompanied by Helen and Red. They asked him for new information regarding the reason why he had shown up, and Bill answered:

"I have already said that this letter was given to me by a wounded man for McPherson."

"Then," the sheriff ordered, "let's go see him where you left him." The entire group began their return to the old Duncan ranch.

When they arrived at the door of the ranch house, the sheriff said to Bill: "If this man proves to me that you are Duncan, I will arrest you on suspicion of Flynne's murder."

Bill acted neither surprised nor shocked, and instead remained innocent and calm.

They entered the house, and Bill's surprise was great when he did not find the wounded man, as he expected to see there, perhaps resting until his wounds received medical attention. Bill finally figured out that it was a plot by some enemy of his, however, he did not know who it could be, since he had not messed with anyone, nor did he know who his presence might bother, unless it was precisely McPherson himself.

"Where is the wounded man?" the sheriff said sarcastically. Bill quickly looked around the room.

"He must be in bed, let me go look for him."

And without saying more he entered the bedroom off the main room, closing the door behind him, and raising a hatch, he descended a staircase into the dark underground that led to the foot of another staircase located at the other end of the house, going outside.

Bill jumped on his horse and fled, believing that being free, it would be easier for him to prove his innocence.

Chapter 3: Fast as Lightning

As soon as McPherson and the sheriff realized that Bill was fleeing, they mounted their horses, followed by Helen and Red, embarking on the pursuit of the fugitive.

Our protagonist thought that they would follow him, but he flew more than he ran. His pursuers, however, were on a higher plain than he was, and could see the route he had taken. Ultimately, they tried to cut him off at the pass.

They followed Bill closely, who realized that they were going to surround him. He thought that the best thing to do would be to cross a lake that was nearby and reach the shore. Once Bill's horse treaded into the lake, however, his horse suddenly reared, dismounting him. The horse returned to shore minus Bill, who lost his hat in the sand.

As soon as his pursuers arrived, they realized that Bill had perhaps drowned.

"We'll wait fifteen minutes," said the sheriff, "and if after that time he doesn't surface, it's a sign that he has definitely drowned."

The sheriff held his watch in his hand, keeping an eye on it, until the fifteen minutes passed. Helen and Red were mortified at the thought of Bill drowning, but McPherson did not see the last of his enemy.

After fifteen minutes passed, the sheriff said: "Tomorrow morning we will look for the body in the lake. This escape makes him look guilty."

"I cannot believe that this," answered Helen, "proves that Bill was guilty."

Red looked at McPherson. "Because of you," he said, "a man has died, a real man."

They all left the lake then returned to town except for Red, who remained by the water, hoping Bill would surface to show he was safe.

Soon, in the center of the lake, a small bush was advancing towards the shore, and Red was quite surprised when suddenly, behind the branches of the bush, Bill's smiling face appeared. Being certain that the sheriff departed, he felt it was safe to come out of hiding. Bill gave some instructions to Red to return home, who secretly made his way back to the Duncan ranch.

The next morning when Red saw his sister after she woke up and dressed, sitting at breakfast, he said very quietly in her ear: "Guess what, Helen? Bill is alive!"

"How did you find out?" Helen asked, somewhat surprised. She set down her coffee cup after taking a sip. Red continued.

"Don't tell anyone, do you understand? Well, Bill knows what is going on and believes he has enemies. He wants us to stay on his side."

McPherson, who was constantly harassing Helen, called on her in person to say:

"I'm sorry to have to confess the truth, Helen, but that new man called Bill is your father's murderer." McPherson waited for her reply.

Helen's eyes grew big as she became disgusted with McPherson. "Really!" she exclaimed. McPherson continued:

"Besides, you already heard the notary. Your father's wish was for us to get married. That's why he divided the ranch into two equal parts."

"This detail is the one that I have never understood and I suppose it was encouraged by you," Helen replied, spelling it out for him to hear.

"Surely he would want to reward the good services I had rendered to him as an employee. Also, Helen, I have loved you for a long time." McPherson spoke without hesitation, hoping that Helen would change her mind about him.

"I hadn't noticed," Helen answered. "We'll see, I will think about it."

McPherson said no more and left Helen alone in the room.

This conversation was overheard by Rose, who was always behind doors stalking her ex-boyfriend and came out fuming. She confronted him, saying: "So you're trying to make fun of me, huh?"

"Why do you say that, Rose?" replied McPherson.

Without hesitation, Rose continued: "From what I have heard, if you marry Helen, I will tell the sheriff the truth. That Joe Gault killed Flynne on his orders."

McPherson shook his head. "You are wrong about my intentions, Rose. You know very well that it is only you I love."

"If you love me so much, show it to me by marrying me today," demanded Rose.

"I have a matter to settle first and once it is resolved I will answer you." McPherson did not say anything further and went out in search of Daggart.

"Hey," McPherson said to Daggart, "Rose is dangerous, she knows our secrets and if she knows she has been fooled, she will tell everything to the sheriff."

"So what do we do?" replied Daggart.

"Take her to the Duncan ranch. We'll meet at the lake. Also take Helen and if she tries to escape, don't hesitate to do with her what we did with Flynne."

With this plan, Daggart and Gault took the two women to the Duncan ranch.

Rose's last conversation with McPherson and saying that on his order they had murdered Helen's father, was overheard by Red. Red went to tell the sheriff what he heard, and with reinforcements they left for the north ranch, where they thought they would find Bill.

The sheriff and his men arrived before McPherson and his men did and stayed there. When McPherson showed up, he started fighting with Bill. Thinking of fleeing, McPherson threw himself into the lake, but Bill also went to look for him there, finishing him off and bringing him to the shore unconscious due to the terrible punches he had inflicted on him.

Bill returned to the ranch where he found the others with the women, the sheriff and Red saying:

"Now that you know who killed your father, I'll tell you the truth. I am Michael Duncan."

Rose, then, explained in detail to those present how the evil McPherson had asked her for love, giving her the promise of marriage, considering herself mocked when she saw that her fiancé was courting Helen, and what he was looking for was only her assets. She also explained how Gault, by order of McPherson, murdered Helen's father, in order to quickly inherit her inheritance.

When the sheriff accused her of not speaking up sooner, the unfortunate Rose replied that if she had kept this secret silent, it was out of fear and because of the constant threats that McPherson made to her.

"I was also another of his victims!" exclaimed poor Rose, in the height of her despair.

This is how everyone understood it, agreeing not to give knowledge of the intervention that Rose had during the course of events that were taking place. Rose left accompanied by the sheriff and Michael, said to Helen:

"Don't you think it's time for that old enmity to end? From the first moment we have been united by a feeling of companionship."

Helen smiled at him. "You are right, Michael. My father himself expressed many times his desire to forget old resentments."

"Hey, Michael," Red said timidly, "that all sounds very well, but I don't have a dog like yours."

"I'm giving you mine. After all, it will stay in the family. What do you say, Helen?"

"If you want me to..."

This translation of "Veloz Como el Rayo" is copyright Aventuras de Tom Tyler, 2024. No part of this translation, nor Introduction, may be reproduced anywhere in any format.

2024 Aventuras de Tom Tyler