Breaking a leg

[wsanto]

(11-27-2012 07:08 PM)John E. Wrote:  Just a quick question: Why would Booth lie about HOW he broke his leg to Lloyd when he flat out told him he killed the President ? There was no reason to hide the truth at this point.

I am not as well informed as the rest of you on the assassination, but it seems to me plausible that Booth and Herold created the story of the horse falling as part of their explanation for the obvious distress Booth was in. They also created aliases and other circumstances to explain their situation while seeking aide along their escape.

Why would Booth and Herold relay their horse falling story to LLoyd while later boasting that they killed the President?

They arrive at Surratt's Tavern to collect their guns. Herold goes to the door because Booth is in too much pain to dismount. Herold is in a position where he has to offer an explanation. Herold tells Lloyd that his friend's horse fell on him. At this point the truth is a much more complicated story and would require further explanation. They are in a hurry. They stick to their story for simplicity's sake. They get the gun and the glasses and some whiskey and as they depart Booth then decides to boast of the assassination. The real explanation for the broken leg is no longer needed at this point. Lloyd then tells his story of the visit to the investigators and relays Herold's story of the horse falling on his injured friend.