The hangman stared at the sticky goo, scratching his bald head. “How’d that gunk git on my gallows?” he said with a snarl.

Joe tugged again and felt the rope around Frank’s wrists loosen a bit more.  His arms and shoulders ached from the strain of bearing Frank’s weight and reaching so far above his head.

Joe gave the rope one final tug and it came loose in his hand, causing the seven year old to lose his balance on the bucket.  The bucket tipped backwards and Joe felt himself falling to the dirt below.

“Whoa!” he cried as he hit the ground.  He looked up and was grateful to see Frank scrambling through the open trap door.  Joe sighed with relief.  He started to get up when he heard a growling sound behind him.

Joe turned and saw the hangman’s face all twisted with rage as he held the empty can of super glue bat spray.

“You did this, you little twirp!” the huge man snarled.  “I’m gonna rip yer arms off!”

Joe tried to run, and the hangman took off after him.  He had almost gotten clear of the platform when the man grabbed Joe’s arm.  Joe turned and kicked at the man’s ample stomach, but it felt like he’d kicked a brick wall.

“Let-me-go!”

“I’m gonna tear off yer scrawny arms, brat!” the giant man sneered.  Joe tried desperately to get loose of the man’s grip, but his hand was like a steel band on Joe’s arm. 

The hangman started yanking Joe’s arm and grinned when the boy cried out in pain. Joe screamed as the man pulled the arm and twisted it sharply.

Joe knew he was going to pass out from the pain when the man suddenly let go of him.  Joe dropped to the ground and the huge man fell on top of him.

“Ahh! I can’t breath!” Joe called out, trying to wriggle free.

Suddenly, Frank and Tony were helping him out from under the big man’s limp body. 

“You okay, Joe?” Frank asked as he helped Joe stand.

“I-I think so,” Joe said, looking down at the unconscious man.  “Who knocked him out?”

Frank and Tony pointed to the edge of the platform where Chet stood.  “Just one good pitch was all it took,” the stout boy bragged with a grin as he tossed a rock in the air.

“You oughta’ be a pitcher on our ball team instead of a catcher, Chet!” Joe exclaimed.

The four boys chuckled and decided to see if they could help up on top.  The Lone Ranger was locking up some of the gang in the jail while Batman and Robin securely tied up the rest of the group.  Tonto came to check on the boys, and seeing the unconscious hangman, he took rope to tie him up also.

The boys stood off to the side, watching the final round-up.

“Joe, thanks for saving my life,” Frank quietly said.  “I woulda’ died, but you stayed still under that door.  You were really strong.”

Chet and Tony looked at each other, and then turned to Joe. “We, ah, want to say thanks, too,” Tony said. They both shook Joe’s hand. 

Soon, the boys were joined by the four heroes. They shook hands with them and thanked them for all their help.  When Batman came to Joe, he knelt beside the boy and smiled.

Joe gave the caped crusader a big hug.  “You’ll always be my favorite super-hero, even if you wear funny clothes.”

Batman laughed and ruffled Joe’s blond hair.

The Lone Ranger also knelt next to Joe.

“You were very brave, my young friend,” the masked man said.  “Tonto and I owe you a debt of gratitude.  Batman and Robin said they couldn’t have accomplished such a difficult rescue without your help.”

Joe felt his face grow warm. 

“In recognition of your sacrifice and bravery in the face of danger, I hereby declare you an honorary member of the Texas Rangers,” the Lone Ranger declared, and pinned a shiny silver Texas Ranger star onto the boy’s shirt.

“Wow,” Chet and Tony said, eyeing the badge.

“I’m so proud of you, little brother,” Frank stated, giving Joe a big hug.

“I don’t know what to say,” Joe said, feeling proud, but embarrassed by all the attention. “Thank you.”

“I guess we should be heading out now,” the Lone Ranger tipped his hat and mounted Silver.

The boys watched as the Lone Ranger and Tonto rode away.

“Boys, Robin and I left the bat-copter in a clearing nearby.  When we get there, we’ll radio the police to pick up these criminals,” Batman stated as he and Robin prepared to leave.  The caped crusaders saluted the children and took off running through the woods.

“Guess we’d better find our way home, too,” Frank suggested.

The four of them made their way past the pine trees and over the bridge, where they parted company.  Chet and Tony waved to the Hardy brothers and headed toward their own homes.

“Frank, how come the fort is so big and the bridge is so strong? And where did those outlaws come from? And how did the Lone Ranger get here from Texas? And…”

“Stop!” Frank laughed.  “I really don’t know.  None of this made any sense at all.”

“Maybe Dad can s’plain…”  

Joe stopped when he heard a sound behind them.  A ragged looking cowboy came out from behind one of the large oak trees. 

“That’s one of the men I heard talkin’ in the fort.  He was talkin’ about the hangin’,” Joe shouted, stepping up beside his brother.  “His name is Clem.”

“It’s all ruined ‘cause of yal!” the man yelled and fired his pistol. Before Frank knew what was happening, Joe was lying on the ground with a pool of blood around his head.