In a few minutes the negro returned with a note from the "Kid," stating: "You fellers go to h—l!" or something to that effect.
A consultation was then held, and finally decided to give the boys one more chance for their lives, before storming the house. So they sent Mr. Coon back with another note stating, that that would be their last chance, etc.
In a short while a new messenger came forward. It was "Jim" Greathouse, proprietor of the ranch. He stated that the "Kid" desired to have a talk with their leader. On asking him what assurance he could give that their leader wouldn't be harmed, he replied, "myself." He told them that they could hold him a prisoner, and if anything happened to Carlyle, he was willing to stand the consequences.
So Mr. "Jim" Carlyle, he being the leader, marched forward—never more to return—to have a talk with the "Kid".
Arriving in the house where there was also a saloon, kept there to accommodate the thirsty traveler, he was made to go up to the bar and drink "health to Billy the Kid." This of course went against the grain with "Jim," but then what else could he do now, being at their mercy?
Finally the Kid spied one of the gloves he had left behind in his retreat the day before, sticking out of "Jim's" coat pocket.
This revived the hardships he and Billy Willson were compelled to endure, nearly all day the day before, traveling through snow up to their knees. So pulling the glove out of "Jim's" pocket and holding it up at arms length, he asked: "Jim, was you with that mob yesterday who caused me such a tramp through the snow?"
"Yes," was the answer.
"Well then, come up and take your last drink on this earth, for I am going to blow your light out."
"Jim" of course didn't relish the half pint of rotgut that he was forced to drink at the point of a colts "45."