In the rear of the jail building there was another guard asleep. He was relieved of his fire-arms and dagger.

When Segura was free of irons the two guards were gagged so they couldn’t give an alarm, and chained to a post.

The two outlaws started out in the darkest part of the night, just before day, Segura on “Gray” and the “Kid” trotting by his side, afoot.

An hour later the two desperadoes were at a confederate’s ranch across the Rio Grande river, in Old Mexico.

After filling up with a hot breakfast, the “Kid” was soon asleep, while Segura kept watch for officers. The “Kid’s” noble “Gray” was fed and[Pg 22] with a mustang, kept hidden out in the brush.

Now the ranchman rode into San Elizario to post himself on the jail break.

Hurrying back to the ranch, he advised his two guests to “hit the high places,” as there was great excitement in San Elizario.

Reaching La Mesilla, New Mexico, the two young outlaws found the boy who had carried the message to “Billy the Kid,” from Segura, and rewarded him with a handful of Mexican gold.

[Pg 23]

CHAPTER III.

“BILLY THE KID” AND SEGURA MAKE SUCCESSFUL ROBBERY RAIDS INTO MEXICO. A BATTLE WITH INDIANS. THE “KID” JOINS HIS CHUM, JESSE EVANS.

After a few daring raids into Old Mexico, with Segura, the “Kid” landed in La Mesilla, New Mexico.

Here he fell in with a wild young man by the name of Tom O’Keefe. Together, they started for the Pecos river to meet Jesse Evans and his compani