THE NORTHERN MYSTERY 261 



food or fuel, he was in the end obliged to 

 surrender. 



Billy lodged in gaol, the denizens of that 

 section of country drew a full breath ; but 

 they knew not Billy. It was not long be- 

 fore he was at large again, well armed and 

 mounted, free as the desert winds. The 

 ' woman in the case ' had done her work 

 well, as his gaolers with shame acknow- 

 ledged. 



But his day was a short one. Once more 

 he was captured, after a desperate resist- 

 ance, tried, and condemned to death. This 

 time he was guarded night and day by two 

 Sheriffs, and for better security was put in 

 irons as well as hand-cuffed. Now follows 

 the most extraordinary history of careless- 

 ness in connection with the guardianship of 

 one who, mere boy as he was, was neverthe- 

 less a notoriously daring criminal. He was 

 in the habit of playing cards with his keepers, 

 and often warned them, with a laugh, not to 

 be too sure of him ; that he would escape 

 'as sure as they were born.' 



Notwithstanding his reiterated assurance, 



