d as firing on
women and children. The detachment was under charge of the commanding
officer of Fort Stanton, Colonel Dudley, who marched his men past the
beleaguered house and drew them up below the place. Colonel Dudley was
besought by Mrs. McSween, who came out under fire, to save her husband's
life; but he refused to interfere or take side in the matter, saying
that the sheriff of the county was there and in charge of his own posse.
Mrs. McSween refused to accept protection and go up to the post, but
returned to her husband for what she knew must soon be the end.

McSween, ex-minister, lawyer, honest or dishonest instigator, innocent
or malicious cause--and one may choose his adjectives in this matter--of
all these bloody scenes, now sat in the house, his head bowed in his
hands, the picture of foreboding despair. His nerve was absolutely gone.
No one paid any attention to him. His wife, the actual leader, was far
braver than he. The Kid was the commander. "They'd kill us all if we
surrendered," he said. "We'll shoot it out!"

Old Andy Boyle got some sticks and some coal oil, and, under protection
of rifles, started a fire against a street door of the house. Jack Long
and two others also fired the house in the rear. A keg of powder had
been concealed under the floor. The flames reached this powder, and
there was an explosion which did more than anything else toward ending
the siege.

At about dusk, Bob Beckwith, old man Pierce, and one other man, ran
around toward the rear of the house. Beckwith called out to the inmates
to surrender. They demanded that the sheriff come for a parley. "I'm a
deputy sheriff," replied Beckwith. It was dark or nearly so. Several
figures burst out of the rear door of the burning house, among these the
unfortunate McSween. Around him, and ahead of him, ran Billy the Kid,
Skurlock, French, O'Folliard, Bowdre, and a few others. The flashing of
six-shooters at close range ended the three days' battle. McSween, still
unarmed, dropped dead. He was found, half sitting, leaning against the
corral wall. Bob Beckwith, of the Peppin forces, fell almost at the same
time, killed by Billy the Kid. Near McSween's body lay those of Romero
and Semora and of Harvey Norris. The latter was a young Kansan, newly
arrived in that country, of whom little was known.

[Illustration: 1. IGHENIO SALAZAR 2. ALEX. A. McSWEEN 3. CAPT. S. BACA
(1) Shot and left for dead, in the Lincoln County War. (2) Leader of a
f