The Kid’s Outlaw Destiny

The Outlaws

This flow traces The Kid’s charm, violence, loyalty, and fatal courage as he moves toward the end he believes is inevitable.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Friendly Stranger The Friendly Stranger from "The Outlaws". The Friendly Stranger Warmth and Danger The Kid invites Del to share a table and presents himself as lively and sociable.

The Friendly Stranger from "The Outlaws". The Friendly Stranger Warmth and Danger The Kid invites Del to share a table and presents himself as lively and sociable.

The Friendly Stranger Warmth and Danger The Kid invites Del to share a table and presents himself as lively and sociable. Del senses that beneath the friendliness lies a dangerous man accustomed to surviving among outlaws. A Bond Begins The Kid’s welcome gives Del companionship at a moment of isolation. That connection becomes the basis for a partnership tested by violence and competing desires.

A Killing Revealed A Killing Revealed from "The Outlaws". A Killing Revealed Violence in His Past The Kid explains that he killed a man after a conflict disguised as rough play.

A Killing Revealed from "The Outlaws". A Killing Revealed Violence in His Past The Kid explains that he killed a man after a conflict disguised as rough play.

A Killing Revealed Violence in His Past The Kid explains that he killed a man after a conflict disguised as rough play. He is glad the man is dead and has little faith that a court would hear his account fairly. A Man at Ease with Risk His story makes clear that outlawry is not merely a response to one accusation. The Kid accepts violence as part of his nature and has already held up banks and killed before meeting Del.

A Brief Departure A Brief Departure from "The Outlaws". A Brief Departure Restlessness Returns The Kid tires of waiting for danger and leaves to hunt, later returning with a buck.

A Brief Departure from "The Outlaws". A Brief Departure Restlessness Returns The Kid tires of waiting for danger and leaves to hunt, later returning with a buck.

A Brief Departure Restlessness Returns The Kid tires of waiting for danger and leaves to hunt, later returning with a buck. He performs his guarding duties but resists being confined to a safe place. Freedom Over Security His restlessness shows why a ranch life may not suit him. Although he can be loyal, he distrusts domestic routine and resents Mrs. Horton’s rules.

The Return to Roily The Return to Roily from "The Outlaws". The Return to Roily Coming Back to Friends The Kid is in Roily when Del, Smith, and Kate arrive.

The Return to Roily from "The Outlaws". The Return to Roily Coming Back to Friends The Kid is in Roily when Del, Smith, and Kate arrive.

The Return to Roily Coming Back to Friends The Kid is in Roily when Del, Smith, and Kate arrive. He greets them with exuberance and is visibly uncertain how to behave around Kate. The Fight He Wants After hearing the threats against the party, The Kid is eager for action. His confidence in his gun and appetite for danger make him both an asset and a risk.

The Final Stand The Final Stand from "The Outlaws". The Final Stand Taking the Initiative The Kid leaves the bank alone to draw Landon’s men out of the hotel.

The Final Stand from "The Outlaws". The Final Stand Taking the Initiative The Kid leaves the bank alone to draw Landon’s men out of the hotel.

The Final Stand Taking the Initiative The Kid leaves the bank alone to draw Landon’s men out of the hotel. He kills Hawk Sloan but is fatally wounded before he can escape the fight. A Chosen Ending With his last words, he recalls John Smith’s prediction that he was born to hang or be shot and expresses relief that he will not hang. His loyalty gives Del the opening to confront Landon.

Del’s first dinner in Baggs

Several weeks into the J Bar job

During Kate’s first week at Mrs. Horton’s refuge

The afternoon of the will reading

Near the ending, during the Roily shootout