How does Boyd begin to attain the role of a folk hero?

While Boyd is recovering from his gunshot, Billy begins to hear questions and stories about Boyd's role in the death of the man during the scuffle over the horses. Billy tells them that the stories they hear and are repeating are "greatly exaggerated," and that Boyd is only fifteen. As is the case with all stories such as this, the people Billy talks to about this pick only the one detail offered that they are interested in and are even more amazed because Boyd is so young to have participated in such daring feats of justice. Boyd is quickly becoming a folk hero.