table of contentsDocumenting Detail in Historical Material Here is an example of the kind of writing useful for documenting an historical event. It is a passage from The Collected Works of Billy the Kid, by Michael Ondaatje, a fictionalized lyrical treatment of the last year in the life of Billy the Kid. This book includes some found photographs from the period, and some historical documents, such as a dime novel version of the legend of the famous gunfighter.
MMMmmmmmmm. In the final minutes. it is Texas midnight. A large large square, well and buckets center. The houses and sheds in rows making up the square. The long narrow porch running all around. Up to the well rides Pat Garrett and deputies Poe and Mackinnon. Scuffling slow, smoking as they dismount gentle and leave the horses and walk to the large hut which is Maxwell's room. They pass the dog.
This is a diagram then of Maxwell's, Pete Maxwell's room. Bed here against the wall, here's the window where he put his hand through And here, along here, is the porch. While this, about 20 yards away, is the Guitterrez home. Garrett, Poe, and Mackinnon stop near Maxwell's door. On some vague tip Garrett has come to ask Maxwell where he thinks Billy is hiding out -- where in the territory is he -- he's been escaped 3 months and nobody's seen him. Garrett leaves the deputies sitting smoking on the porch, flicks away his own cigar and goes into the dark room where Maxwell is asleep Meanwhile
Billy is just yards away drinking with Celsa Guitterrez. He came in about an hour ago, he wears only his trousers and guns, hot night. They decide she will cook him something and he offers to go cut some meat. Carrying a knife in his left hand, and barefoot, he is up and begins walking towards the ice house. Passing the Maxwell room he sees the two men outside. Quien es? They do not answer. Again the question. no answer. Billy backs off the porch into Maxwell's room and heads towards his friend sleeping.
In the dark room Garrett has wakened and is questioning the dazed Maxwell. In fact as Billy enters he is crouching by Maxwell's bed. Quienes son esos hombres afuera, Pete? Garrett recognizes the voice. He does the one thing that will save him. Quietly, with his long legs, he climbs over Maxwell's body and gets into bed between Maxwell and the wall. with his rifle in his hands he watches the darkness, trying to make out the shape that is moving towards him. Billy moves over barefoot and asks Pete again. Quienes son esos hombres afuera?
Maxwell doesn't say a word. He can feel Garrett's oiled rifle barrel leaning against his cheek. Billy shakes Maxwell's shoulder and then he hears the other person's breathing. As the only other woman on the ranch, apart from Celsa Guitterrez is Paulita Maxwell -- Pete's sister -- he doesn't know what to think. Paulita? Pete Maxwell gives a nervous giggle full of fear which Billy mistakes for embarrassment. Paulita! Jesus Christ. He leans forward again and moves his hands down the bed and then feels a man's boots. O my god Pete quien es?
He is beginning to move back a couple of yards in amazement. Garrett is about to burst out laughing so he fires, leaving a powder scar on Maxwell's face that stayed with him all his life.