The recent rain had made the mountain trail north of Bagley's Ridge a muddy path, and so Dan Reid and Tonto rode slowly on their way to meet the Lone Ranger at a nearby camp. For some time, the Indian and Dan had watched deep ruts made by the recent passing of a wagon. As the routed a turn, they found the wagon deep in mud and stuck fast. Whilst the driver shouted at the horses, two other men strained and heaved in an effort to move the wagon from the mud hole. Dan and Tonto immediately offered to help.