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                             NATIONAL PROPANE L.P.








                                 LOAN AGREEMENT

                                  JULY 19, 1999
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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

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  RECITALS ...............................................................     1

ARTICLE 1 ................................................................     1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE ...............................     1
  SECTION 1.01. Definitions ..............................................     1
  SECTION 1.02. Rules of Construction ....................................     5

ARTICLE 2 ................................................................     6
THE LOANS ................................................................     6
  Section 2.01. Request for Borrowing ....................................     6
  Section 2.02. Lender's Consideration of Request ........................     6
  Section 2.03. Notice of Borrowing ......................................     6

ARTICLE 3 ................................................................     7
THE NOTES ................................................................     7
  SECTION 3.01. Form of Notes ............................................     7
  SECTION 3.02. Execution ................................................     7
  SECTION 3.03. Replacement Notes ........................................     7
  SECTION 3.04. Cancellation .............................................     7
  SECTION 3.05. Default Interest .........................................     7

ARTICLE 4 ................................................................     7
COVENANTS ................................................................     7
  SECTION 4.01. Payment of Notes .........................................     7
  SECTION 4.02. Limitation on Secured Debt ...............................     7
  SECTION 4.03. Compliance Certificate ...................................     8
  SECTION 4.04. Further Assurances; Reservation of Security Interest .....     8

ARTICLE 5 ................................................................    10
SUCCESSOR COMPANY ........................................................    10
  SECTION 5.01. When Company May Merge or Transfer .......................    10
  SECTION 5.02. Substitution of Successor ................................    10

ARTICLE 6 ................................................................    10
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES ....................................................    10
  SECTION 6.01. Events of Default ........................................    10
  SECTION 6.02. Waiver of Event of Default ...............................    12
  SECTION 6.03. Acceleration .............................................    12
  SECTION 6.04. Other Remedies ...........................................    12
  SECTION 6.05. Waiver of Past Defaults ..................................    12
  SECTION 6.06. Rights of Lender To Receive Payment ......................    12
  SECTION 6.07. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws .........................    12

ARTICLE 7 ................................................................    13
TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT .................................................    13
  SECTION 7.01. Termination ..............................................    13

ARTICLE 8 ................................................................    13
AMENDMENTS ...............................................................    13
  SECTION 8.01. Amendment of Agreement and Notes .........................    13
  SECTION 8.02. Notation on or Exchange of Notes .........................    13

ARTICLE 9 ................................................................    13
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REDEMPTION ...............................................................    13
  SECTION 9.01. Applicability ............................................    13
  SECTION 9.02. Right of Redemption ......................................    13
  SECTION 9.03. Notes Redeemed in Part ...................................    14

ARTICLE 10 ...............................................................    14
INDEMNIFICATION ..........................................................    14

ARTICLE 11 ...............................................................    14
MISCELLANEOUS ............................................................    14
  SECTION 11.0l. Notices .................................................    14
  SECTION 11.02. Governing Law ...........................................    15
  SECTION 11.03. No Recourse Against Others ..............................    15
  SECTION 11.04. Successors ..............................................    15
  SECTION 11.05. Multiple Originals ......................................    15
  SECTION 11.06. Table of Contents; Headings .............................    15

EXHIBIT A ................................................................     1
Promissory Note ..........................................................     1
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                                       ii
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         THIS LOAN AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated July 19, 1999, between
National Propane L.P., a limited partnership duly organized and validly existing
as a limited partnership under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter
called the "Company"), having its principal office at 9200 Arboretum Parkway,
Richmond, VA 23236 and Columbia Propane Corporation, a corporation duly
organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter
called the "Lender," and together with the Company, the "Parties").

                             RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

         WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Lender make loans in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement to finance the Company's on-going
capital needs, and the Lender is willing to make the loans subject to the terms
and conditions set forth herein; and

         WHEREAS, the Company expects to derive substantial benefit from the
receipt of said loans;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective representations and
the agreements herein contained, the Parties hereto agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE 1
                   DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

         SECTION 1.01. Definitions.

         "Affiliate" of any specified person means any other person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control," when used with respect to any specified person, means the power to
direct the management and policies of such person directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities (not limited to majority
ownership of voting securities), by contract or otherwise; and the terms
"controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

         "Agreement" means this Agreement as it may be amended from time to
time.

         "Approved Funding Period" has the meaning as set forth in Section 2.02.

         "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar
Federal or state law for the relief of debtors or any state or Federal
insolvency and receivership law.

         "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company or any
committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board of Directors in
respect hereof.

         "Board Resolution" means a resolution duly adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Company, a copy of which shall be certified by the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary, as being in full force and effect on the date of such
certification.

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         "Borrowing" has the meaning as set forth in Section 2.03.

         "Business Day" means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.

         "Bylaws" means the Bylaws of the Company as amended from time to time.

         "Capital Lease Obligations" of a person means any obligation which is
required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease obligation on the
balance sheet of such person prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles; the amount of such obligation shall be the capitalized
amount thereof, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles; and the stated maturity thereof shall be the date of the last
payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date
upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a
penalty.

         "Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator,
custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

         "Debt" of any person means, without duplication,

                  (i) the principal of and premium, if applicable, in respect of
         (a) indebtedness of such person for money borrowed and (b) indebtedness
         evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for
         the payment of which such person is responsible or liable;

                  (ii) all Capital Lease Obligations of such person;

                  (iii) all obligations of such person issued or assumed as the
         deferred purchase price of property (but excluding trade accounts
         payable arising in the ordinary course of business);

                  (iv) all obligations of such person for the reimbursement of
         any obligor on any letter of credit, banker's acceptance or similar
         credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of
         credit securing obligations -- other than those obligations described
         in (i) through (iii) above -- entered into in the ordinary course of
         business of such person to the extent such letters of credit are not
         drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is
         reimbursed no later than the third Business Day following receipt by
         such person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the
         letter of credit);

                  (v) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i)
         through (iv) of other persons for the payment of which such person is
         responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or surety; and

                  (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i)
         through (v) of others secured by any Lien on any asset of such person
         (whether or not such obligation is

                                        2
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assumed by such person), the amount of any such obligation which is not assumed
being deemed to be the lesser of the amortized cost of such asset or the amount
of the obligation so secured.

         "Default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time
or both would be, an Event of Default as more fully described in Section 6.01 of
this Agreement.

         "Event of Default" has the meaning as set forth in Section 6.01.

         "Interest Payment Date" means a date on which interest on any Principal
Amount outstanding on any Note is due and payable.

         "Legal Holiday" means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking
institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York. If a payment
date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that
is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

         "Lender's Approval" means the Lender's written reply to the Company
approving the Company's Request for Borrowing and stating the terms and
conditions of the Loan made pursuant to such Request for Borrowing in accordance
with Section 2.02 hereof.

         "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, deposit for security, security
interest or other similar lien, whether secured or unsecured, or perfected or
unperfected, or contingent or otherwise, other than the following: (i) liens for
taxes or assessments or other local, state or federal governmental charges or
levies; (ii) any lien to secure obligations under workers' compensation or
unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation or regulation; (iii) any lien
to secure performance in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than
contracts for the payment of Debt) or leases (other than Capital Lease
Obligations) made in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any
Affiliate thereof; (iv) liens to secure public or statutory obligations; (v)
materialmen's, mechanics', carriers', workers', repairmen's, construction, or
other liens or charges arising in the ordinary course of business, or deposits
to obtain the release of such liens; (vi) any lien to secure indemnity,
performance, surety or similar bonds to which the Company or any Affiliate of
the Company is a party; (vii) liens created by or resulting from court or
administrative proceedings which are currently being contested in good faith by
appropriate actions or proceedings or for the purpose of obtaining a stay or
discharge in the course of any court or legal proceedings for which appropriate
accounting reserves have been made to the extent required by generally accepted
accounting principles; (viii) leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations)
made, or existing on property acquired, constructed or improved by or on behalf
of the Company, in the ordinary course of business, together with repairs and
additions thereto and improvements thereof; (ix) landlords' liens; (x) zoning
restrictions, easements, licenses, reservations or restrictions in respect of
currently owned or hereafter acquired, constructed, or improved tangible
property or defects or irregularities (including any terms, conditions,
agreements, covenants, exceptions and reservations expressed or provided in
deeds or other agreements) in title thereto, which do not materially impair the
conduct of the business of the Company; (xi) any of such liens described in
clauses (i) through (x), whether or not delinquent, whose validity or
applicability is at the time being contested in good faith by

                                        3
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appropriate actions or proceedings of the Company or any Affiliate thereof;
(xii) any right which any municipal or governmental body or agency may have by
virtue of any franchise, license, contract or statute to purchase, or designate
a purchaser of or order the sale of, any property of the Company or any
Affiliate thereof upon payment of reasonable compensation therefor, or to
terminate any franchise, license or other rights or to regulate the property and
business of the Company or any Affiliate thereof; (xiii) the lien of judgments
covered by insurance, or upon appeal and covered, if necessary, by the filing of
an appeal bond, or if not so covered, not exceeding at any one time two million
dollars ($2,000,000) in aggregate amount; (xiv) any lien or encumbrance, moneys
sufficient for the discharge of which have been deposited in trust with the
trustee or mortgagee under the instrument evidencing such lien or encumbrance,
with irrevocable authority to the trustee or mortgagee to apply such moneys to
the discharge of such lien or encumbrance to the extent required for such
purpose; (xv) rights reserved to or vested in others to take or receive any part
of the gas, by-products of gas or steam or electricity generated or produced by
or from any properties of the Company or any Affiliate thereof or with respect
to any other rights concerning supply, transportation, or storage of a commodity
which is used in the ordinary course of business; and (xvi) liens created or
assumed by the Company or any Affiliate thereof in connection with the issuance
of debt securities, the interest on which is excludable from the gross income of
the holders of such securities pursuant to Section 103 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, or any successor section.

         "Loan" means the funds which the Lender agrees to make available for
borrowing by the Company in a Lender's Approval.

         "Notes" means the notes, either secured or unsecured, issued and
outstanding under this Agreement.

         "Notice of Borrowing" has the meaning as set forth in Section 2.03.

         "Notice of Default" has the meaning as set forth in Section 6.01.

         "Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice
President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, the Controller, any Assistant
Treasurer, any Assistant Secretary, any Assistant Controller, or any officers of
the Company designated by Board Resolution or the Bylaws.

         "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate on behalf and in the name
of the Company signed by two Officers of the Company.

         "Principal Amount" of a Debt or other obligation means the principal
amount of the same plus the premium, if applicable, payable on the same which is
due or overdue or is to become due at the relevant time.

         "Production Payment" means any economic interest in oil, gas or mineral
reserves which generally entitles the holder thereof to a specified share of
future production from such reserves, excluding the costs and expenses of such
production, and terminates when a specified quantity of such share of future
production from such reserves has been delivered, or a specified sum has

                                        4
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been realized from the sale of such share of future production from such
reserves, or any similar arrangement commonly referred to as a "production
payment".

         "Property" means all receivables, inventory, equipment, general
intangibles, contracts and contract rights, checking, savings, deposit or other
accounts, government permits, and all other real property, personal property,
goods, instruments, chattel paper, documents, credits, claims, demands and
assets of the Company, and any additions and accessions thereto and proceeds and
products thereof, as of the date of any grant of security interest by the
Company in accordance with Section 4.04 of this Agreement.

         "Requested Funding Period" has the meaning as set forth in Section
2.01.
         "Request for Borrowing" has the meaning as set forth in Section 2.01.

         "Secured Debt" means Debt secured by a Lien.

         "Subsidiary" means any corporation or other entity of which securities
or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of
the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the
time directly or indirectly owned by the Company.

         SECTION 1.02. Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise
requires:

                  (1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

                  (2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning
         assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting
         principles as in effect from time to time;

                  (3) "including" means including, without limitation;

                  (4) "person" means any individual, corporation, partnership,
         joint venture, limited liability company, association, joint-stock
         company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency
         or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

                  (5) "or" is not exclusive;

                  (6) words in the singular include the plural and words in the
         plural include the singular; and

                  (7) the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other
         discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof
         that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date
         prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
         and accretion of principal on such security shall not be deemed to be
         the issuance of Debt.


                                        5
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                                    ARTICLE 2
                                    THE LOANS

         SECTION 2.01. Request for Borrowing. If the Company wishes to request a
Loan(s) under the terms of this Agreement, it shall give the Lender a written
request for funds (a "Request for Borrowing") on or before October 1st of each
calendar year, or such other date designated by the Lender. Each such Request
for Borrowing shall state the amount of funds requested to be loaned by the
Lender during the specified period requested by the Company (the "Requested
Funding Period").

         SECTION 2.02. Lender's Consideration of Request. After receipt of a
Request for Borrowing, the Lender shall provide a written response to the
Company at least sixty (60) days prior to the First day of the Requested Funding
Period, or such other time as the Lender and the Company may mutually agree. If
the Lender determines in its sole discretion that it will not make any Loan in
response to a Request for Borrowing, the Lender shall notify the Company in
accordance with the foregoing, indicating that the Request for Borrowing has
been denied, but shall not be obligated to set forth any explanation of the
denial. If the Lender determines in its sole discretion that it is willing to
loan funds to the Company in response to its Request for Borrowing, the Lender
shall provide a Lender's Approval which shall specify the aggregate amount and
the terms, or the method of or procedure or manner for determining the terms, of
any Loan or Borrowing and the period of time during which the Lender is willing
to make such Loan and Borrowings to the Company (the "Approved Funding Period").
The Lender may, in its sole discretion, include in the Lender's Approval the
terms, or the method of or procedure or manner for determining such terms, on
which the Lender agrees to make a Loan to the Company, including but not limited
to: (i) the rate or rates, or the method of determination thereof, of interest
on the Loan and the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, and the
Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable, (ii) the place
or places where the principal of and interest on the Loan shall be payable,
(iii) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the
terms upon which any Note evidencing the Loan may be redeemed, in whole or in
part, at the option of the Company, or shall be mandatorily redeemed, in whole
or in part, and any premiums, if applicable, (iv) if other than the Principal
Amount thereof, the portion of the Principal Amount of the Loan which shall be
payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to
Section 6.02 and (v) any other terms to be reasonably determined by the Lender.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Lender may, in its sole discretion,
determine that it is willing to make a Loan to the Company in an aggregate
amount, for a period of time and on other terms different from those requested
by the Company.

         SECTION 2.03. Notice of Borrowing. Whenever during the Approved Funding
Period the Company wishes to make a drawing of borrowed funds under a Loan
approved by the Lender and which shall be consistent with and pursuant to the
applicable Lender's Approval (a "Borrowing"), it shall give the Lender notice of
such Borrowing (a "Notice of Borrowing") prior to 10:00 a.m. on a Business Day.
A Notice of Borrowing shall state the amount of the Borrowing and shall be in
writing and executed by an Officer of the Company. As a condition precedent to
the first Borrowing under a Loan which has been approved by the Lender under an
applicable Lender's Approval, the Company shall provide the Lender with (i) a
Note, executed by

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the Company, evidencing the Loan and (ii) a certified copy of Board Resolutions
authorizing such Borrowing of the Loan upon the terms provided in or pursuant to
the applicable Lender's Approval and this Agreement, and further authorizing the
issuance and sale of the Note to the Lender in connection therewith.

                                    ARTICLE 3
                                    THE NOTES

         SECTION 3.01. Form of Notes. A Loan will be evidenced by a Note
substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto. Each Borrowing shall be
evidenced by a notation on the schedule attached to the applicable Note which
shall specifically state the date and amount of the Borrowing, the maturity or
amortization dates, the interest rate and such other terms as the Lender shall
have designated.

         SECTION 3.02. Execution. An Officer having proper authority to execute
debt instruments on behalf of the Company shall sign the Notes for the Company
by manual or facsimile signature. If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no
longer holds that office at the time the Note is issued, the Note shall be valid
nevertheless.

         SECTION 3.03. Replacement Notes. If the Lender claims in writing to the
Company that a Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company
shall issue to the Lender a replacement Note with equivalent terms.

         SECTION 3.04. Cancellation. The Lender, when the obligation represented
by the Note has been fully satisfied in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, shall deliver such Note to the Company for cancellation. The Company
and no one else shall cancel and destroy all Notes properly surrendered for
transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

         SECTION 3.05. Default Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of
interest or principal on a Note, the Company shall pay defaulted interest (plus
interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful at the rate or rates
prescribed therefor in the Note) in an amount equal to two percent (2.00%) above
the applicable rate or rates noted on the schedule attached to the applicable
Note, commencing on the due date thereof until the same is paid in full.

                                    ARTICLE 4
                                    COVENANTS

         SECTION 4.01 Payment of Notes. The Company, as obligor, shall pay the
principal of and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided
in the Notes and in this Agreement.

         SECTION 4.02. Limitation on Secured Debt. The Company or any Subsidiary
shall not issue any Secured Debt unless contemporaneously therewith the Notes
are secured equally and ratably with such Secured Debt for so long as such
Secured Debt is secured by a Lien; except, however, that incurrence of the
following Secured Debt shall not require the Company or any Subsidiary to
equally and ratably secure the Notes:

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<PAGE>
                  (1) Debt of the Company or any Subsidiary which is incurred to
         finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of assets of the
         Company or its Subsidiaries, which acquisition is consummated, or which
         construction or improvement is commenced, after the date of this
         Agreement; provided, however, that such Debt shall not be secured by
         any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary other than assets so
         acquired, constructed or improved (together with (i) to the extent the
         terms of Secured Debt so provide, repairs and additions thereto and
         improvements thereof, and (ii) with respect to construction and
         improvement, any theretofore unimproved real property on which the
         property so constructed or improved is located);

                  (2) Debt of the Company or any Subsidiary which is secured by
         assets of a person where such Debt was existing at the time such person
         was merged or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary or at the
         time of sale, other disposition, or lease, of the properties of such
         person as an entirety (or substantially as an entirety) to the Company
         or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Debt shall not be
         secured by any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary other than the
         assets subject thereto at the time of the acquisition (together with,
         to the extent the terms of Secured Debt so provide, repairs and
         additions thereto and improvements thereof);

                  (3) Debt of the Company or any Subsidiary issued to refinance
         such Debt incurred under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section 4.02,
         provided that the Debt so issued is not secured by a Lien on assets
         other than those which secure the Debt being refinanced (together with,
         to the extent the terms of new Secured Debt so provide, repairs and
         additions thereto and improvements thereof);

                  (4) Debt of the Company or any Subsidiary which is secured by
         inventory, accounts receivable, or customers' installment paper or the
         proceeds thereof, including by means of asset securitization; and

                  (5) obligations arising with respect to Production Payments.

         SECTION 4.03. Compliance Certificate. The Company shall deliver to the
Lender within 30 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company a
certificate from its principal executive officer, principal financial officer or
principal accounting officer stating that in the course of the performance by
such signer of his duties as an Officer of the Company he would normally have
knowledge of any Default by the Company or any noncompliance with the conditions
and covenants under the Agreement and whether or not he knows of any Default or
any such noncompliance that occurred during such period. If such Officer does,
the certificate shall describe the Default or noncompliance, its status and what
action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. For
purposes of this Section 4.03, such noncompliance shall be determined without
regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this
Agreement.

         SECTION 4.04. Further Assurances; Reservation of Security Interest. (a)
The Company hereby agrees that it shall, from time to time, promptly and duly
execute, acknowledge and

                                        8
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deliver, or cause to be executed, acknowledged and delivered, such further
instruments and documents and take such further action as the Lender may
reasonably request for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full benefits
of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted. The Company also
hereby authorizes the Lender to file any financing or continuation statement
without the signature of the Company to the extent permitted by applicable law,
provided, however, that the foregoing shall not create any obligation or duty on
the part of the Lender. A carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this
Agreement shall be sufficient as a financing statement for filing in any
jurisdiction.

         (b) Grant of Security Interest. The Notes may be issued on a secured or
unsecured basis. Further, in the event that the Lender in its sole discretion
shall become insecure at any time during the term of this Agreement as to the
Company's ability to fulfill any of its obligations hereunder or under any
unsecured Note, or comply with any agreement or other provision hereunder or
under any such Note, and if the Company is unable to otherwise provide adequate
assurances of its ability to perform such obligations or comply with such other
agreements satisfactory to the Lender within five (5) days after receipt of
notice from the Lender of such insecurity, then the Company shall grant,
mortgage, pledge, assign, transfer, set over, convey and deliver to the Lender a
security interest in and a lien on such Property of the Company as the Lender in
its sole discretion shall select, provided, however, that the taking of such
action on the part of the Company shall not relieve the Company from liability
for any of its obligations under this Agreement or the Notes.

         (c) Appointment of Attorney-in-Fact. The Company hereby irrevocably
constitutes and appoints the Lender and any officer or agent thereof, with full
power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full
irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of the Company and in the
name of the Company or in its own name, from time to time in the Lender's
discretion after the occurrence of an Event of Default or the Company's failure
to provide adequate assurances in accordance with paragraphs (a) or (b) of this
Section 4.04, for the purposes of carrying out this Agreement, to take any and
all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments
which may be, in the Lender's sole judgment, necessary or desirable to
accomplish the purpose of this Agreement, including, but not limited to,
providing security to the Lender with respect to the Company's obligations under
the Notes or this Agreement. The powers conferred on the Lender hereunder are
solely to allow the Lender to protect its interest in the Company's Property and
shall not impose any duty upon the Lender to exercise any such powers.

         (d) Cumulative Remedies; No Waivers. The rights and remedies provided
in this Section 4.04 are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and
are not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law or this Agreement.
No failure to exercise, nor delay in exercising, on the part of the Lender any
right, power or privilege under this Section 4.04 shall operate as a waiver
thereof.

                                        9
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                                    ARTICLE 5
                                SUCCESSOR COMPANY

         SECTION 5.01. When Company May Merge or Transfer. The Company shall not
consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey or otherwise transfer, or
lease, its assets as an entirety (or substantially as an entirety) to, any
person, unless:

         (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee person (if not the Company)
shall be a person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of
America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly
assume, by written agreement, executed and delivered to the Lender, in form
reasonably satisfactory to the Lender, all obligations of the Company under this
Agreement and the Notes;

         (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction no Default
shall have happened and be continuing; and

         (iii) the Company shall have delivered to the Lender an Officers'
Certificate stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or
lease complies with this Agreement.

         SECTION 5.02. Substitution of Successor. Upon any consolidation by the
Company with or merger by the Company into any other entity or any conveyance or
other transfer, or lease, of the assets of the Company as an entirety (or
substantially as an entirety) in accordance with Section 5.01, the successor
entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to
which such conveyance or other transfer, or lease, is made shall succeed to, and
be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under
this Agreement with the same effect as if such successor entity had been named
as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the
predecessor entity shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this
Agreement and the Notes.

                                    ARTICLE 6
                              DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

         SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. An "Event of Default" occurs if:

         (1) the Company defaults in any payment of interest on any Note when
the same becomes due and payable thereunder and such default continues uncured
for a period of 20 days immediately thereafter;

         (2) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of any Note
when the same becomes due and payable thereunder;

         (3) the Company fails to comply with Section 5.01 hereunder;

         (4) the Company fails to comply with any of its agreements in the Notes
or this Agreement (other than those referred to in paragraphs (l), (2) or (3) of
this Section 6.01) and such failure continues uncured for a period of 60 days
after notice by the Company. The

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<PAGE>
Company shall deliver to the Lender, within 30 days after the occurrence
thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers' Certificate of any event
which with the giving of notice and the lapse of time would become an Event of
Default under the first sentence of this paragraph (4), its status and what
action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, provided,
however, that such event may become an Event of Default notwithstanding a
failure by the Company to so notify the Lender.

         A Default under this paragraph (4) is not an Event of Default until the
Lender provides to the Company a Notice of Default and the Company does not cure
such Default within the time specified in this paragraph after receipt of such
notice, provided, however, that the Default shall be deemed continuing and may
become an Event of Default notwithstanding the failure of the Lender to so
notify the Company. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be
remedied and state that such notice is a "Notice of Default."

         (5) the Company or any Subsidiary has entered against it a final,
non-appealable court judgment for the payment of money exceeding, in the
aggregate, a material amount, as specified in Item 103 of Regulation S-K, 17
C.F.R. Section 229.103, in uninsured liability, and such judgment is not
discharged, paid or adequately provided for within 60 days after such judgment
becomes final and non-appealable;

         (6) the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of
any Bankruptcy Law:

                  (A) commences a voluntary case;

                  (B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in
         an involuntary case;

                  (C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for
         any substantial part of its property; or

                  (D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its
         creditors;

         (7) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under
any Bankruptcy Law that:

                  (A) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case;

                  (B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for any substantial
         part of its property; or

                  (C) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company;

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or

         (8) the Lender ceases to own at least eighty percent (80%) of the
outstanding equity or other voting securities of the Company.

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<PAGE>
         SECTION 6.02. Waiver of Event of Default. The Lender may, in its sole
discretion, waive in writing an Event of Default occurring under this Agreement
or the Notes at any time. No such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
Event of Default or impair, or be deemed a waiver of, any other right. The
extent of any such waiver shall be in the sole discretion of the Lender.

         SECTION 6.03. Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event
of Default specified in Section 6.01(6) or (7)) occurs and is continuing, the
Lender may declare the principal of and accrued interest on the Notes to be
immediately due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal (or portion
thereof) and interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of
Default specified in Section 6.01(6) or (7) occurs and is continuing, the
principal of and interest on all the Notes shall ipso facto become and be
immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of
the Lender. The Lender may rescind any acceleration under this Section 6.03 and
its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or
decree and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived (except
with respect to nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely
because of the acceleration). No such rescission shall affect any subsequent
Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

         SECTION 6.04. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the Lender may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of
principal of or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any
provision of the Notes or this Agreement.

         A delay or omission by the Lender in exercising any right or remedy
accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or
constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is
exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.

         SECTION 6.05. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Lender may waive in writing
an existing Default and its consequences. No such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other Default or impair, or be deemed a waiver of, any other
right. The extent of any such waiver shall be in the sole discretion of the
Lender.

         SECTION 6.06. Rights of Lender To Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement, the right of the Lender to receive payment of
principal of and interest on the Notes held by such Lender, on or after the
respective due dates expressed in the Notes, or to bring suit for the
enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be
impaired or affected without the consent of such Lender.

         SECTION 6.07. Waiver of Stay of Extension Laws. The Company (to the
extent it may lawfully do so) shall not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in
any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or
extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may
adversely affect the covenants or the performance of this Agreement; and the
Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives


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<PAGE>
all benefit or advantage of any such law. The provisions of this Section 6.07
shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

                                    ARTICLE 7
                            TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

         SECTION 7.01. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated upon mutual
written consent of the Lender and the Company; provided, however, that (i) such
termination shall not be effective unless no obligations of the Company under
the Notes or this Agreement (excluding, for this purpose, the provisions of
Section 6.07 and Article 10 of this Agreement) are outstanding and (ii) the
provisions of Section 6.07 and Article 10 shall survive any such termination.

                                    ARTICLE 8
                                   AMENDMENTS

         SECTION 8.01. Amendment of Agreement and Notes. Any provision of this
Agreement or the Notes may be amended if, but only if, such amendment is in
writing and signed by the Company and the Lender. Except as provided in Section
6.02 and Section 6.05, no waiver of any provision of this Agreement and the
Notes shall be valid unless signed by both parties.

         SECTION 8.02. Notation on or Exchange of Notes. If an amendment changes
the terms of a Note, the Company may require the Lender to deliver the Note to
the Company for the purpose of reflecting such changes thereto. In that event,
the Company shall place an appropriate notation on the Note regarding the
changed terms to properly reflect the provisions of the amendment and return it
to the Lender; alternatively, if the Company so determines, the Company in
exchange for the Note shall issue a new Note that reflects the changed terms.
Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Note shall not affect
the validity of such amendment.

                                    ARTICLE 9
                                   REDEMPTION

         SECTION 9.01. Applicability. Notes which are made redeemable by their
terms pursuant to this Agreement before their final maturity shall be redeemable
in accordance with this Article 9 (except as otherwise specified as contemplated
by Section 2.02).

         SECTION 9.02. Right of Redemption. If a Note is made redeemable by its
terms in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 of this Agreement, and
the Company wants to redeem such Note pursuant to the terms of such redemption
established in accordance with Section 2.02 of this Agreement, the Company shall
notify the Lender in writing at least 20 days prior to the redemption date,
which notice shall specify such date and the principal amount of the Note to be
redeemed, all in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof. If the Company is
obligated to redeem such Note, it shall redeem the Note on the date specified in
accordance with Section 2.02 of this Agreement.


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<PAGE>
         SECTION 9.03. Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Note that is
redeemed in part in accordance with the provisions thereof and hereof, the
Company shall issue to the Lender a new Note with equivalent terms, equal in
aggregate Principal Amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.

                                   ARTICLE 10
                                 INDEMNIFICATION

         In addition to any other amounts payable by the Company under this
Agreement, the Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Lender from
and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs,
charges and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and
expenses) which the Lender may incur or be subject to as a consequence, directly
or indirectly, of (i) any breach by the Company of any representation, warranty,
covenant, term, or condition in, or occurrence of any Default or Event of
Default under, this Agreement or any Note or (ii) involvement in any legal suit,
investigation, proceeding, inquiry or action (including but not limited to any
environmental suit, investigation, proceeding, inquiry or action) as to which
the Lender is involved as a consequence, direct or indirect, of its execution of
this Agreement or any other event or transaction contemplated by or related to
the foregoing. The obligations of the Company under this Article 10 shall
constitute additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive any termination
of this Agreement and cancellation of any Note.


                                   ARTICLE 11
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         SECTION 11.0l. Notices. Any notice or communication required or
contemplated hereunder or under the Notes shall be in writing and transmitted by
either electronic facsimile transmission, delivery in person or mailed by
first-class mail addressed as follows:

         If to the Company:

         National Propane L.P.
         9002 Arboretum Parkway
         Richmond, VA 23236
         Attention: Treasurer
         FAX: (804) 327-1380


         If to the Lender:

         Columbia Propane Corporation
         9002 Arboretum Parkway
         Richmond, VA 23236
         Attention: Treasurer
         FAX: (804) 327-1380

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<PAGE>
         The Company or the Lender by notice to the other, in accordance with
the requirements of this Section 11.0l, may designate additional or different
addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

         If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it
is duly given at the time mailed, whether or not the addressee receives it.

         SECTION 11.02. Governing Law. This Agreement and the Notes shall be
governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware
but without giving effect to applicable principles of conflicts-of-law to the
extent that the application of the laws of another jurisdiction would be
required thereby.

         SECTION 11.03. No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer,
employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability
for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or this Agreement or for any
claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their
creation.

         SECTION 11.04. Successors. This Agreement and the Notes shall bind the
Company and its permitted assigns and inure to the benefit of the Lender and its
assigns. The Company shall not be permitted to assign this Agreement or the
Notes, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the Lender. The
Lender may assign this Agreement or any Note, in whole or in part, without the
consent of the Company.

         SECTION 11.05. Multiple Originals. This Agreement may be signed in any
number of counterparts (including copies thereof), each of which (including
copies) shall be deemed an original, and all of which shall constitute a single
agreement, with the same effect as if the signature thereto and hereto were upon
the same instrument.

         SECTION 11.06. Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents and
headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, are
not intended to be considered a part of the substance hereof and shall not
modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.


                                       15
<PAGE>
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed as of the date first written above.


                                        NATIONAL PROPANE L.P.
                                        CP Holdings, Inc.
                                        Its General Partner


Attest: /s/ Illegible                   By: /s/ T. E. Perkins, Jr.
       -----------------------------       -------------------------------
                                        Title: Vice President



                                        COLUMBIA PROPANE CORPORATION


Attest: /s/ Illegible                   By: /s/ T. E. Perkins, Jr.
       -----------------------------       -------------------------------
                                               T. E. Perkins, Jr.
                                        Title: Vice President



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