CHAPTER XII
CAPTAIN ALLEN TAKES THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE AND JACQUELIN GRAY LOSES HIS BUTTONS AND SOME OLD PAPERS
The absence of all civil government and the disorganization of theplantations were producing great inconvenience. Much thieving wasgoing on everywhere, and there was beginning to be an unwonted amountof lawlessness: sheep and hogs were being stolen, and even horses andcattle. Dr. Cary and Mr. Bagby united with some others of the moreconciliatory men in the State, to request the establishment of someform of government, and a sort of provisional civil government wasshortly established in the country. Mr. Dockett was appointed Clerk ofthe county, Dr. Cary was commissioned a magistrate in his district,and, at his solicitation, Andy Stamper was appointed constable.
Meanwhile, Steve Allen had become the most prominent citizen ofthe county seat. He had taken an old building in one corner of thecourt-green, and his office soon became the most popular place ofresort in the village, for the young men. It was rumored that somethingother than law was practised in Steve’s office, and the lights oftenburned till daybreak, and shouts of laughter came through the openwindows. Stories got abroad of poker-parties held there in the latehours of the summer nights. Neither Middleton nor Thurston had everbeen invited there, for Steve still held himself stiffly with thetwo officers, but an incident occurred which suddenly broke down thebarrier.
Steve had never taken the oath of allegiance. This was not known atthe time of his arrival at the court-house, and he had started into practise law, and had gone on without any question as to it everbeing raised, until Still notified Leech. “If you could git up a rowbetween him and your young man, Middleton,” said he, “you might get ridof one enemy, maybe two; for, I tell you, he won’t stand no foolin’.Make Middleton make him take the oath. I don’t believe he’ll do it—Ib’lieve he’ll go away first.” Leech summoned Steve to exhibit hisparole; and on his failing to obey, laid the matter before Middleton.
When Leech disclosed the object of his visit, Thurston was lounging inan arm-chair, with his pipe. He started up. Was it possible that sucha flagrant violation of the law had been going on? He gazed at theProvost blandly.
“It was and is,” said Leech, sententiously. “This man never missesan opportunity to treat the Government and its representatives withcontempt.”
“I have heard so,” said Thurston, adopting Leech’s tone. “I haveheard that he has even said that some of the representatives of theGovernment were a stench in their own nostrils.”
Leech winced and glanced at Thurston; but he was as innocent as a dove.
“It is time to make an example of him,” proceeded the Lieutenant, stillapparently arguing with his superior. “And I think it would be well tohave him brought up at once and the most rigid oath administered tohim. Why should not Lieutenant Leech administer it? I should like tosee him do it, and he might take occasion to read Captain Allen a soundhomily on his duties as a citizen of this great Republic and his causefor gratitude. It might lead him to mend the error of his ways.”
Nothing could have been more pleasing to Leech. He jumped at theproposal, and said he would give this young rebel a lecture that hewould not soon forget, and if he refused to take the oath would claphim in jail. Middleton assented and that evening was set for theceremony, and Middleton and Thurston said they would go down and seethe oath administered.
That evening Steve was surprised to find his office-door suddenlydarkened by a squad of soldiers who had come to arrest him and take himbefore the Provost.
“What is it for?” Arrests by the Provost were not uncommon.
“To take the oath.”
There was a laugh at Steve’s expense; for it was known by his friendsthat he prided himself on not having yet sworn allegiance to theGovernment.
“Go and take your medicine, and pay me that little fiver you bet youwould not take it this month,” said McRaffle, with a half sneer.
“I’ll credit it on one of your I O U’s,” said Steve, dryly.
He was marched across to the Provost’s office, his friends followingto see the issue. Just as they arrived, Middleton and Thurston camein, looking a little sheepish when they found, as the result of theirconspiracy, Steve guarded by a file of men. Leech took out a box ofgood cigars and offered them to the officers. He did not offer them toanyone else, but laid them on the table, and with a rap for silence,began his homily. He made it strong and long. He dwelt with particularemphasis on the beneficence of a Government that, after a wickedrebellion, permitted rebels to return to their allegiance and receiveagain all the benefits of the Union—becoming, indeed, one with herother citizens. This concluded, he tendered Steve the oath. Everyonepresent, perhaps, expected Steve to refuse to take it. Instead ofwhich, he took it without a word. There was a moment of breathlesssilence.
“I understand then that we are, so to speak, now one?” said Steve,drawlingly.
“Ah! yes,” said Leech, turning away to try to hide his surprise fromThurston.
“Then, gentlemen, have some of _our_ cigars?” Steve took up the box,lit a cigar himself and coolly handed them around.
As he offered them to Thurston the little Lieutenant said:
“Captain, the honors are yours.”
The next moment Steve tossed his cigar contemptuously out of the door.
“Come over to my office, gentlemen; I have a box that a _gentleman_has sent me. I think they will have a better flavor than these.Good-evening, Lieutenant Leech. Will you join us, gentlemen?” This wasto Middleton and Thurston, and the invitation was accepted.
They adjourned to Steve’s “law-office,” where they proceeded to whileaway the hours in a manner which has sweetened, if not made, many anarmistice. Fortune from the start perched herself on Steve’s side as ifto try and compensate him for other and greater reverses; and at lastlittle Thurston, having lost the best part of a month’s pay, said thatif Leech’s cigars were not as good as Steve’s, they were, at least,less expensive.
“You fellows don’t know any more about poker than you do about joking,”said Steve, imperturbably, as he raked in a pot. “If I’d known aboutthis before, I wouldn’t have taken that oath. I’d have done likeMcRaffle there. This is too easy.”
“You play just as much as I do,” said McRaffle, quickly.
“Yes; but in more select company.” Steve said quietly. “Not with boys.”
McRaffle’s cold face flushed slightly, and he started to reply, butglanced quickly round the table and reconsidered. Steve was placidlyshuffling the cards.
No man likes to have his poker-game assailed, and Middleton andThurston were no exceptions.
“You’re outclassed, Captain,” said Steve. “I’d be riding that whitefootbay of yours in a week, if you played with me.”
“Make a jackpot and I’ll give you a chance,” said Middleton, firing up.
Steve, as the winner, was not in a position to stop. The others hadwarmed up.
“Yes—make it a jackpot, and let that decide which is the biggestblower,” laughed someone.
Steve dealt and Middleton looked pleased, as he well might. None ofthe others had more than a pair, and they passed out. Steve had threehearts and a pair. He was about to throw the cards down when he caughtMiddleton’s look of content, and hesitated.
“Come in,” laughed Middleton.
Steve’s fingers tightened on his cards, and Middleton discarded two,showing that he held three of a kind.
“I’ve got you beat,” he said.
“Beat? I tell you, you don’t know the game,” said Steve, airily. Hecoolly discarded his pair.
“I don’t? I’ll bet you a hundred dollars, I’ve got you beat.”
Steve picked up two cards. “I’ll see you and raise you,” said he. “Ibet you five hundred against your whitefoot horse you haven’t.”
“Done,” said Middleton.
“Keep your horse, boy,” said Steve. “I was the best poker player in mybrigade.” He leaned over to put his cards down. But Middleton was
gameand was ahead of him.
“It’s a bet,” he said, laying his hand on the table. There was a sighfrom the others: he had three aces.
Steve laid his beside them, and there was a shout. He had drawn a flush.
“Now I’ll buy the horse back from you, if you wish it?” said Middleton.
“Thank you. I’ve promised him to a lady,” said Steve.
Next day Steve rode his new horse to Birdwood and, with a twinkle inhis eyes, offered him to Blair.
“How did you get him?” asked the girl.
“Captured him,” laughed Steve. “Tell your friend not to play poker withme—or McRaffle,” he added.
Blair’s eyes flashed and she attacked Steve vigorously. She would nothave him offering to present her a part of his gaming-winnings. He wasbecoming a scandal to the neighborhood; leading the young men off.
“Young Larry, for instance?” smiled Steve. “Or Captain McRaffle?”
“No. You know very well whom I mean,” declared Blair. “Rupert thinksit fine to imitate you.” The smile was still on Steve’s face, andBlair paused to take breath; then half closing her eyes as if she weresighting carefully—“And couples your name with Captain McRaffle’s,”she added.
A light of satisfaction came into her eyes as she saw the shaft gohome. A deeper hue reddened Steve’s sunbrowned face.
“Who was the young lady who bet me not long ago, against that veryhorse, that she would not dance with a certain Yankee Captain? Where’sher pious example?”
Blair’s face flushed. “I did wrong. But I did not expect you, CaptainAllen who prides himself on his chivalry, to shelter himself behind agirl.” She bowed low, and turned away in apparent disdain, enjoying thesuccess of her shot.
Just at that moment Miss Thomasia joined them.
“What are you two quarrelling about?” The next moment she glanced atSteve and a troubled look came into her eyes.
“Nothing. We aren’t quarrelling, are we Blair?” Steve held out his handin sign of peace.
“Yes. Steve has just charged——”
Steve began to make signs to Blair.
“—Steve has just charged,” proceeded Miss Blair, ignoring his effortsto stop her, “that all his shortcomings are due to the example set himby a woman.”
“They all do it, my dear, from Adam down,” said Miss Thomasia, placidly.
Her sex was to be defended even against her idol.
“There,” said Blair, triumphantly to Steve.
“It’s a stock phrase,” said Steve. “And what I’d like to know is, didnot Adam tell the truth?”
“Yes, the coward! he did. And I’ve no doubt he tried to keep poor Evebetween him and the angel’s sword. Now you, at least be as brave as he,and tell Cousin Thomasia the truth and see what she says.”
Once more Steve began to signal Blair. But Miss Thomasia herself cameto his rescue. Perhaps, she wanted to save him. She began to ask aboutRupert. She was evidently anxious about the boy.
Whether it was because of what Blair said about Rupert, or because ofthe look of distress that came in Miss Thomasia’s eyes at the mentionof the story of Steve’s playing, Steve had an interview with CaptainMiddleton shortly afterward, and, as a result, when he told him thedilemma in which he found himself, the horse went back into Middleton’spossession, until Middleton left the county, when he became Steve’s bypurchase.
As time went on, a shadow began to fall between Jacquelin and the sun.Steve was in love with Blair. Steve was always with her; his name wasalways on her lips, and hers frequently on his. She rode his horse: andhe often came to Red Rock with her. And as Jacquelin watched, he knewhe had no chance. It cut deeper than anyone ever knew; but Jacquelinfought it out and won. He would not let it come between him and Steve.Steve had always been like a brother. He would still love Blair. Thiswas not forbidden him. Not every knight always won his great love.It was the loyalty, not the success, that was knightly. If she lovedSteve, he could make her happier than Jacquelin himself ever could havedone. And Jacquelin, if God gave him power, would rejoice with them intime.
The preparations for the contemplated entertainment for the benefitof the poor wounded Confederate soldiers in the county were alreadybegun. It was to be given at Red Rock, and the managers waited onlyfor Jacquelin to recover somewhat from a set-back he had had after hismeeting with Leech at Dr. Cary’s. Blair Cary had offers from at leasta dozen escorts; but Steve was the fortunate contestant. Miss Dockettwas so much interested in her preparations that the two lodgers caughtthe fever, and found themselves in the position of admirers and partadvisers as to a costume for an entertainment to which they were notconsidered good enough to be invited. Little Thurston had to purchase apart of it in the city, where he went on a visit, and, truth to tell,finding that the small amount entrusted to him—which was all thatcould be got together even by Mrs. Dockett’s diligence, stimulated byher natural pride in her daughter’s first ball—was not sufficientto purchase material as fine as he thought suited to adorn the plumpperson of a young lady who had condescended to warble with him, headded to it a small sum from his own by no means over-plethoric pocket,and then lied about it afterward like a trooper and a gentleman.
“Well, I always heard a Yankee was a good hand at a bargain,” declaredMrs. Dockett; “but you are the best I ever knew.” And this wasThurston’s reward.
The officers had given up hope of being invited to the assembly, whenone evening two formal notes, requesting their company, were brought bySteve’s boy Jerry. They were signed simply, “The Committee.”
“And now,” said Middleton, “we’re in a bigger hole than before; forit’s for the benefit of the rebels; and if that gets out—. But,perhaps it will not?”
“Gets out? Of course it will get out. Everything one doesn’t want toget out, gets out; but yet we must go. Does not our high sense of dutyrequire us to sacrifice our personal prejudices so far as to keep aneye on this first large assemblage of rebels?”
“Reely, you’re a genius,” said Middleton, in open admiration.
“Of course I am,” was the Lieutenant’s modest reply.
Formal notes of acceptance were sent, and the two young officers weresoon as busy as anyone making their preparations for their “summercampaign,” as Thurston called it. Both ordered new boots, and Thurstona whole suit, for the occasion. Thurston, in the seclusion of theirroom, drilled Middleton sedulously in the Old Virginia reel, so as toastonish the native and, as he profanely termed it, “make sure of thecapture of the fish Middleton had found in the ford.”
An evening or two later, the mail was brought in, and in it were twoofficial letters for Middleton. As he read them, his face fell, andhe flung them across to Thurston, who, as he glanced at them, gave anejaculation hardly consistent with the high-church principles he soproudly vaunted.
One was an order forbidding, for the present, all public gatheringsat night, under any guise whatever, except in churches; the otherforbade the wearing of any Confederate uniform or garment formingpart of a uniform, or, at least (as persons might not have any otherclothes whatever), brass buttons, braid, chevrons, etc., which were theinsignia of a uniform. These were to be cut off or covered. These weregeneral orders, and the officers in command stationed throughout thecountry were directed to see them enforced.
“This comes of having a d—d tailor for President,” said the littleLieutenant. “I always did hate ’em; and to think I’ve ordered a newuniform for it too! Your wedding, Larry, will not come off as soon asI anticipated. Well, there’s one consolation; one tailor will have towait some time.”
This view appeared to please the Lieutenant so much that, as he glancedover the orders again, he began to whistle, while the Captain lookedon despondently. The whistling grew louder as Thurston read on, and hesuddenly bounced up.
“I’ve got it, Larry. Are you a Mason?”
“No. Why?”
“Oh! Nothing—I was just thinking of that old Masonic lodge where thechaplain preached and Leech le
d in prayer. You issue your orders—andleave me +to manage it: this tailoring part is what’s going to play thedeuce. I can settle the other—I’m a churchman—I ought to have been abishop.”
As Thurston foresaw, it was the order touching the uniforms which gavethe greatest offence, and in the indignation which this aroused, theother was almost lost sight of. It was intended to show the negroes,the old residents said, that the Southerners were completely insubjection to the Federal authorities. Which view gained some groundfrom the fact that the orders were issued by Leech, who appeared to becharged with their enforcement.
The next day there was a storm in the county.
The little General made old Julius burnish up his buttons until theyshone like gold, and then rode into the village to interview theofficer in command. He was stopped on the street by Leech, and wasordered to cut them off immediately if he did not wish him to do it forhim, on which the gallant old Confederate stated to that functionaryas placidly as he might have returned an answer to Miss Thomasia onthe subject of roses, that if Leech so much as attempted to lay hishand on him, he would kill him immediately; and the look in his eyeswas so resolute and so piercing that Leech, who supposed from thisthat he was fully armed, slunk away to secure a squad of soldiers toenforce his order. The General rode serenely on to find Middleton. Noone was present at the interview. But it became known afterward thatthe General had begun by an intimation that he was ready to renew hispolite offer of the pair of duelling pistols to Captain Middleton, ifthe Captain wished to give a gentleman who found himself temporarily ina somewhat embarrassing position, a gentleman’s satisfaction; and thathe had come away, not, indeed, with this satisfaction, but, at least,with renewed esteem for the young men, whom he continued to speak of as“most gentlemanly young fellows”; and he covered his buttons with cloth.
Steve Allen let Miss Thomasia cover his with crêpe, and having ledLeech into questioning him as to the reason for this, said that it wasmourning because a certain cowardly hound had only barked at MammyKrenda one day, instead of attempting to touch her, and giving her theopportunity to cut the skin from him. Dr. Cary found his buttons cutoff by Mrs. Cary and Miss Blair—“to prevent,” Blair said, “their beingdefiled by sacrilegious hands.”
Jacquelin Gray was at this time confined to his lounge, by his wound;but it had this drop of consolation for his mother and Aunt Thomasia,that so long as he stayed there he could not be subjected to whatothers underwent. They reckoned, however, without their host.
One afternoon Leech rode into the Red Rock yard with a squad ofsoldiers at his back, and riding across the grass to the very door,dismounted and stamped up the steps, and, without waiting for ananswer to his loud rap, stalked into the hall, with his men behindhim. Where he had come from no one knew; for he had ridden in the backway. It transpired afterwards that he had stopped for a minute at theoverseer’s house.
At the moment Leech appeared in the hall, Jacquelin was lying on hislounge, with Blair Cary and Rupert sitting beside him, and the firsthe knew of the Provost’s presence was when Blair, with an exclamation,sprang to her feet. He turned and faced Leech as he entered the hall.The Provost appeared dazed by the scene before him; for scores of eyeswere fastened on him from the walls, and he stood for a moment rootedto the spot, with his gaze fixed on the face of the “Indian-killer”over the big fireplace. That strange embodiment of fierce resolveseemed almost to appal him. The next instant, with a gesture, he cameforward to where Jacquelin lay. At the same moment Blair retired toseek Mrs. Gray and Miss Thomasia. Leech’s eyes followed her as she wentout.
“Well, sir, what do you want?” Jacquelin asked, haughtily.
“Take off your coat.”
It was the form of order given to negroes when they were to bethrashed. Jacquelin’s face flushed.
“What for?”
“Because if you don’t, I’ll take it off for you. I mean to cut thesebuttons off.”
“You can cut them off.” Jacquelin had grown quiet, and his face waswhite. Rupert drew nearer to him, his cheeks flushed and his breathcoming quickly.
“I guess I can,” sneered the Provost. He came up to the lounge, pushingRupert aside, who interposed between them. He leaned over and cut thebuttons from the jacket, one by one.
“I’ll send these to my girl,” he said, tauntingly—“Unless you wantthem for yours,” he added, with a meaning laugh. Jacquelin controlledhimself to speak quietly.
“Tell your master that some day I will call him to account for thisoutrage.”
“Young puppies bark, but don’t bite,” sneered the Provost.
In an instant Rupert was on him, and, boy as he was, he struck theProvost a blow which, taking him unawares, staggered him. Leechrecovered himself, however, and seizing the boy, slapped him furiouslyseveral times. Jacquelin was on his feet in a moment. He sprang towardthe Provost, but the men interposed, and he sank back on his lounge,breathless and white.
“Hound, for that I will some day make a negro whip you within an inchof your life,” he said, beside himself.
Leech grinned in triumph and, walking up, leant over him officiously,as though to see if there were still any buttons left.
As he did so, Jacquelin raised himself and slapped him across the face.Leech with an oath sprang back and jerked out a pistol; and possiblybut for an accident which gave time for the intervention of his men,Jacquelin Gray’s career would have ended then.
He looked so cool, however, and withal so handsome and intrepid ashe lay back and gazed into Leech’s eyes, denouncing him fiercely anddaring him to shoot, that Leech hesitated and turned toward his menfor encouragement. As he did so, the door opened hastily and a curiousthing happened. The great full-length portrait over the big fireplace,loosened, perhaps, by the scuffle with Rupert, or by the jar of thedoor as Mrs. Gray and Miss Thomasia, entered, slipped in its frame andat the moment that Leech turned, fell forward, sending the Provoststaggering back among his startled men. When Leech recovered, hismen interfered. They were not ready to see a man murdered before hismother. Baffled in this, the Provost determined on another revenge. Heswore he would have Jacquelin hanged, and made his men take him outand put him on a horse. Jacquelin was unable to sit in the saddle,and fell off in a faint. At this moment Hiram Still, whom Mrs. Grayhad summoned, came up and interposed. At first, the Provost was notamenable even to Still’s expostulations; but at length he presseda wagon and had Jacquelin put in it, and hauled him off to thecourt-house, to jail, still swearing he would have him hanged. Mrs.Gray, having sent off by Blair in hot haste for Dr. Cary to followher, directed Still to replace the picture, ordered her carriage, and,without waiting, set out for the court-house, accompanied by MissThomasia and Rupert.
They had hardly left when Still went into the house to set thepicture back in its place. It was surrounded by a group of curious,half-frightened servants who, with awe, alternately gazed on it andon the yawning hole in the wall, making comments, full of foreboding.Still sent them all off except Doan, whom he kept to help him set thepicture back in place. It was necessary to get up on a chair and leanhalf way in the hole and examine the sides where the nails were to bedriven, and this Still did himself, making an examination of the entirerecess, even moving a number of bundles of old papers.
“Ah!” he said, with a deep inspiration, as he ran his eye over onebundle, which he laid off to one side. He sent Doan out to get him somelong nails, for, as he explained, he meant now to nail the picture upto stand till judgment day. The negro went with a mutter, half timid,half jest, that he wouldn’t stay in that hole by himself not for thewhole Red Rock plantation and every mule on it. While he was absentStill was not idle. Doan had no sooner disappeared than the managerseized the bundle of papers he had laid to one side, and, hastilycutting the string which bound it, extracted several papers.
“I thought I remembered which one it was in,” he murmured. “I didn’tknow when it was put in here as I’d ever git hold of it again.” He heldthe papers up so as to get the light o
ver his shoulder on them.
“Yes, that’s the big bond with the paint on it, payable to me. Ithought ’twa’n’t cancelled.”
He was so busy with the papers that he did not see the faces, outsidethe window, pressed against the pane, or hear Doan enter, and didnot know he had returned until his shadow fell across the hearth. Heslipped the papers in his pocket so hastily that one of them fell outand would have fluttered down on the floor had he not caught it. Heturned on the negro:
“How did you come in, fool?” he asked, with a start, as he rammed thepaper back in his pocket.
“I come in by de do’,” said Doan, sullenly.
The portrait was soon nailed back, this time Still driving the nails into make sure they wouldn’t come out again.
Meanwhile the ladies were making their way to the court-house. It wasquite dusk when they reached the county seat and, to their surprise,the wagon had not yet arrived. Miss Thomasia was in great distress overit, and was sure that Leech had executed his threat against Jacquelin.But Mrs. Cary, though much disturbed, thought that more probably theyhad taken another road and had travelled more slowly. This, indeed,proved to be the case, and some hours later, Leech and his prisonerturned up.
Mrs. Gray had not been idle. On reaching the court-house she sent atonce for General Legaie, and drove to Mrs. Dockett’s, where she knewthe commanding officer had his quarters. There she found the familyat supper, and it may be safely asserted that no meal was ever moreunceremoniously interrupted. Mrs. Dockett no sooner heard Mrs. Gray’sname, than she left the table and went to receive her, and having inthe first two minutes learned the cause of her visit, she swept backinto the dining-room and swooped down on the two young officers, witha volubility which, at least, terminated the meal, and looked for alittle while as if it would also terminate the relation of hostess andguest. She announced that Leech had broken into Mrs. Gray’s house,assaulted her son, and finally dragged him from his dying bed and, nodoubt, had murdered him in the woods. And she summoned the two officersto assert immediately their authority and execute summary justice onthe Provost, if they ever wished to eat another meal under her roof.Not that Mrs. Dockett really took the view that Miss Thomasia took,for outside, she had already reassured Mrs. Gray, giving her calmlymost excellent reasons to show that Leech would never dare to injureher son. But she felt that she had a warrant for this lurid picture inMiss Thomasia’s forebodings, and she could not resist the pleasure ofpresenting it in all its blackness. Fortunately, Middleton, with hisquiet manner, could, when he chose, be impressive enough. He listenedto Mrs. Gray’s statement calmly; was very grave, but very polite toher, and though he did not promise to release her son, or indicatewhat would be done in the matter, he assured her that Jacquelin shouldhave proper treatment on his arrival, and promised that she should haveaccess to him.
Suddenly Rupert, who had been crying on the way down whenever he coulddo so unobserved, stepped forward from behind his mother, where he hadbeen standing.
“I struck him first, and I am the one to hang, not my brother.” Hisface which had been red when he began, paled suddenly, and his lipquivered a little; but his head was held straight and his eyes weresteady and were filled with light.
Mrs. Gray started to speak; but her voice trembled and failed her, andshe could only hold out her hand to the boy. Middleton’s eyes softened.
“No one will be hanged,” he said. Then added, gravely: “But youshouldn’t have struck him.”
“He called my brother a puppy,” said the boy, defiantly, his eyesflashing, “and I’ll let no one do that—not you, nor anyone.”
That night Thurston said to Middleton:
“Gad, Larry, I said I ought to be a bishop, but you ought to beone—the way you preached to that boy, and I’d give a thousand dollarsfor him.”
“I wish you were Captain,” growled Middleton.
“He looked like a little game-cock, didn’t he?”
When the prisoner arrived, about midnight, under his guard, everythingwas found ready for his reception, and his mother was detailed to nursehim, to which, probably, was due the failure of Leech’s and one other’splan.