In November Pat Garrett became sheriff of Lincoln county and began his pursuit of Billy. The pursuit lasted nearly a year and a half. Billy was cornered in the McSween's home in Lincoln, but the house was set afire and Billy escaped. But Billy was caught again, tried, sentenced to hang, and in the Lincoln County jail inside the County Courthouse waiting to be hung...

One way Billy could have escaped from the Lincoln jail...

Billy and Deputy 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 Bell's left side. "Didn't mean to do that, Bell," the young boy 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...