The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-09-08

LndL IIIle Billy the hlu became an OUT
law, and an outlaw he remained for
seven years, which completed the span
of his short life.
To-day there is a little lowly heap
of earth located at Las Cruces, New
Mexico. To the curious stranger some
idle native may, now and again, point
out this little grave and explain, with
certain pride, that Las Cruces pos
sesses the final resting place of the
worst bad man that ever infested the
Southwestern border. An ancient Mex
lean, who sometimes shows this grave
to visitors, once made the cautious re-
mark regarding it's occupant that, had
he lived he would probably have turn
ed out to be a bad man.
And how old was Billy when he
died?" asked one curious stranger.
'Twenty-one. senor," replied the an
Client. He died, almost one might say,
before he fully began to live"
you say he was bad?" remarked an
other stranger.
He is said to have killed many men,"
How many? How many, amigo, had
this man killed at the time he himself
died?"
He had killed." replied the ancient
Mexican, "twenty-one men, one for
each year of his age, may the saints
defend us" said the Mexican. HE was
good man, and very kind to poor peo-
pie. Yet, had he lived, he might, ac-
cording to the opinion of some, have
turned into a bad man."
Near the present home of Pat Gar
rett is the grave of Billy the Kid, one
of the worst of the outlaws of the
West, and certainly bad as man could
be. AS the grave received him, he was
short, understood little man, with
legs none too good, and the habit of
riding man. His eyes were blush gray.
His chin, so far from being broad and
strong, was narrow and pointed. His
teeth were large and projecting, the
teeth or a carnivor. Providence alone
Knows through what miscarriage in the
aeons of evolution the soul of some
fierce and far-off carnivor got into the
body of this little man, this boy, this
1end in tight boots and broad hat. He
died at the age of twenty-one. A man
for every year-indeed, had Billy lived,
he might have grown to be a bad
man!
And this is how the little tiger at last
round his end. He and the scant re-
mainder of his gang were on their way
across the line into Mexico, when Billy
finally made the fatal mistake of his
lifetime. 1t was all about, a woman It
became known, in what way it would
be violating Pat CARROTS confidence to
state, that upon a certain night Billy
the Kid would be at the ranch house OF
one Maxwell, far down to the south of
Lincoln, in the Rio Penasco country, If
being his purpose there to say good-by
to sweetheart, Mexican girl.
Pat Garrett, with two deputies, ap-
peared quietly at Maxwelrs ranch
house on the evening specified. They
were not announced. 1t was a bright
mOnnliphf mir a.
be plainly discerned for some distance.
Garrett left his two deputies at the
gate, close to the door of the ranch.
he found Maxwell in bed. Arguing
that, If he would permit a visit of this
sort to his place, he would also inform
the visitor in case he had opportunity.
Garrett commanded the ranchman to
lie quietly in bed where he was. He
enforced this demand with an alter
native which had sufficient weight, He
then stepped back of the bed where
maxwell lay, and in order to keep the
latter quiet, he rested one arm across
him, and with the other kept his own
pistol handy.
Pat Garrett was a good shot with the
heaVy six-shooter. Once, while some
or us were practicing with pistols, Pat
Garrett, at a distance of some ten or
twelve yards, put five bullets from
his six-shooter in postal card which
was nailed against a tree. Now I
VIII be particular" said he, land shoot
the stamp mark off the corner" which
latter he did practically as stipulated.
Along toward midnight a horseman
rode up and stopped his horse not far
from the ranch house. He came
through the gate where the two depu-
ties were sitting. In order not to make
any noise. this horseman kicked off
his boots so that, as he actually STEP
ped over the threshold of the door, he
stood with his boots in his left hand.
rms surely was moment of mortal
danger and of mortal terror to the two
deputies who held guard without. They
were saved, by Providence alone knows
what of change in the mental action
OF this little fiend, who was now play
ing the last act of his red drama. For
the first time and the only time in his
life, Billy the Kid entertained a sus-
picion, and failed to shoot first and ask
with certain doubt upon the two fig
his explanation afterward. He looked
with certain doubt upon the two fig
ures squatted down in the semi-dark-
ness.
"Quien esq" CWho is it?) he asked.
Amigos" (friends), one of the depu-
ties had strength enough left to utter.
He knew perfectly well who the little
man was, standing there at the door.
with his boots in his hand and the muz-
zle of his revolver now pointing to-
ward him hesitatingly.
Now the figure of Billy the Kid
standing thus. half hesitating, in the
moonlight at the open door, perhaps
with some vague softer thought of
love and good-by in his soul. Just as
there had been a thought of home and
mother at the beginning of his career,
presented an object visible enough at
a distance of a few feet to any one
within the room. The long left arm
OF Pat Garrett held Maxwell tight to
the bed. His own long legs slowly
uncoiled as he rose up from his place,
crowded between the bed and the wall
The Kid heard some sort of sound be-
hind him, and quick as a flash he
whirled. hesitation no more a part of
him. 1t was too late. The aim of
Pat Garrett, even thus in the half dark,
was accurate as ever. Billy the Kid,