Billy the Kid

Billy the Kid, already famous, helps his friend Pedro escape from jail in Lincoln, New Mexico. The escape reinforces Billy's image as a formidable gunslinger and ties him to Pedro's fate.

They return to a saloon where locals had expelled Pedro because of his ethnicity. Dan Hickey recognizes Billy and hires him to terrorize farmers into joining his business. Billy and Hickey's men trigger a cattle stampede that kills a farmer, leaving Billy with guilt.

Jim Sherwood, a childhood friend who works for Eric Keating, arranges for Billy and Pedro to work for Keating, a non-violent alternative. The move places Billy closer to peaceful reform than to Hickey's violence.

Billy arrives at the Keating ranch and meets Edith Keating, Eric's sister, and is instantly attracted to her. He begins to feel at home on the ranch as he steps away from his former life of crime.

Pedro is shot in the back by one of Hickey's men at the Keating property. Keating advises Billy not to seek revenge and to wait until he can speak with the governor about the unrest, delaying immediate action.

Keating goes to consult the governor and does not return. Billy's resolve to follow a measured path is shaken by the absence of his mentor and the escalating danger.

At Edith's birthday party, Keating's horse comes back empty, signaling trouble and Keating's absence. Billy decides to pursue Hickey and his men to seek justice for Pedro and the other wrongs.

Hickey tries to stall Billy's group by sending a messenger who falsely claims Keating died while fleeing the sheriff. Keating's men refuse the deception and prepare to confront Hickey, while reinforcements are en route.

Jim appears to switch sides, telling the sheriff to lock up Billy and Tim Ward for their own protection. Billy suspects Jim's betrayal and questions his motives as the tension rises.

The sheriff attempts to shoot Billy, but Ward disarms him. Billy ends up killing the sheriff, believing him to still be a threat as the confrontation escalates.

Billy and Ward track down and shoot the men who killed Keating, taking them out one by one. Jim and Hickey arrive at the scene, increasing the tension of the confrontation.

Jim tries to intervene and stop Billy from shooting Hickey, but Hickey flees. Billy shoots Hickey in the back, ending Hickey's threat for the moment.

In a final confrontation, Billy challenges Jim; Billy deliberately shifts to his right hand, making Jim think he is faster. Jim ends up killing Billy, and afterward realizes that Billy let him win by changing hands.