Geiss was hailed again and told to saddle up Billy Burt’s, the Deputy County Clerk’s, black pony and bring him out on the street. This black pony had formerly belonged to the “Kid.”
When the pony stood on the street, ready for the last act, the “Kid” went down the back stairs, stepping over the dead body of Bell, and started to mount. Being encumbered with the weight of two pistols, two belts full of ammunition, and the rifle, the “Kid” was thrown to the ground, when the pony began bucking, before he had got into the saddle.
Now the “Kid” faced the crowd across the street, holding the rifle ready for action.
Charlie Wall told the writer that he could have killed him with his pistol, but that he wanted to see him escape. Many other men in the crowd felt the same way, no doubt.
When the pony was brought back the “Kid” gave Geiss his rifle to hold, while he mounted. The rifle being handed back to him when he was securely seated in the saddle, then he dug the pony in the sides with his heels, and galloped west. At the edge of town he waved his hat over his head, yelling: “Three cheers for Billy the Kid!” Now the curtain went down, for the time being.
CHAPTER X.
“BILLY THE KID” GOES BACK TO HIS SWEETHEART IN FORT SUMNER. SHOT THROUGH THE HEART BY SHERIFF PAT GARRET, AND BURIED BY THE SIDE OF HIS CHUM, TOM O’PHALLIARD.
A few days after the “Kid’s” escape, Billy Burt’s black pony returned to Lincoln dragging a rope. He had either escaped or been turned loose by the “Kid.”
The next we hear of the “Kid” he visited friends in Las Tablas, and stole a horse from Andy Richardson. From there he headed for Fort Sumner to see his sweetheart, Miss Dulcinea del Toboso. It was said he tried to persuade her to run away with him, and go to old Mexico to live in happiness ever afterward. But that sweet little Dulce refused to leave mamma.