In November, Pat Garrett became sheriff of Lincoln County, New Mexico,
southwest United States, and began his pursuit of Billy lasting a year
and a half. At one time Billy was cornered in McSween's home in Lincoln,
but the house was set afire and Billy escaped. Then Billy was caught again,
tried, sentenced to hang, and was in the Lincoln County jail inside the
County Courthouse waiting to be hung.
Billy the Kid and Deputy J. W. Bell passed time by playing cards. The Kid
reached out his manacled hands to place his wager of ten matches when,
seemingly by accident, he brushed the jack of hearts off on to the floor
at Deputy Bell's left side.
"Didn't mean to do that, Bell," the young man apologized.
"That's all right, Kid," replied Deputy J. W. Bell. "I'll get it."
He bent over to pick up the card. With the deck in his left hand,
he reached for the card with his right, turning away from the
table for a second. Here was Billy the Kid's chance...