The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1885-06-06
THE pecoRp
WAR IN THE AIR.
How hips ~f var a.s 10 be Blown
Up In th- Future.
trho Modern pri.la. Greer ]

Our equipment was the same as before.
except that half Of us carried single
ten-pounl bomb instead Of three FIVE
pound ones. We followed the shore on
the southern side Of the bay as far as
Oakley Island. which borders it in that
direction. About mile in the offine
were visible the lights of large steamer.
the first Of the line. We knew that the
next one lay two miles beyond her. but
from the distance we could not make out
her lights. Arrived at q point almost
directly above the vessel, halted my
little party and explained my plans,
which were exceedingly simple. One Of
the men, bearing ten.pound bomb. wa,
to descend cautiously until he was near
enough to drop his burden into the fun.
mel, after which he was to riso upward
again a. fast as possible. The rest were
70 remain in readiness to repeat the
maneuver il it should fail the first time
The man selected at once begun his de-
scent, and for a few moments we strained
our eyes through the gloom vainly try
ing to follow his movements. Presently
slight rattle was heard; then there was
bright fash and stunning report. The
bomb had missed tho funnel and ex-
ploded on tho deck. For few seconds
there was dead silence. then . confu-
sion u many voices; then shot was
heard, rocket whizsed up past us and
burnt into thousand points Of dazzling
brightness. which lighted up with noon
day clearness ~ area Of moro than .
mile. Ia the unearthly glare we could
plainly sec our comrade Fastening up
ward 10 reioin US. Before the intense
brightness had gone out there was Sec
ond report, another rocket came HURTING
and screaming right among US. and burst
into great blazing stars above. The ef
feet vas indescribably magnificent, but
sadly disconccrting to our plans. We
were confused and puzzled. and must
have been plainly visible to those on
board. "scatter. men. scatterl" l
shouted. as the third rocket come almost
In the track of the second. It was plainly
impossible to remain where We were,
but in spite Of the flaming sulphurous
masses that were falling like = rain oi
fire around me, balanced myself for 4
moment. while l found with my plumb
line point exactly over the ship. Then
lloossned my 10 pound she'll from its
sling aud dropped it, heard the crash
Of its fall upon the deck, and deep,
mufiied explosion, which told that il had
broken through and burst below. I did
not wait IL see the end. but strikiuv oil
at my utmost speed, blew a shrill blast
on my whistle to rally my followers, and
held my course to the next ship. II was
not easy nov to make out her exact loca-
tion. Evidently aroused by the con,mo.
ton, though probably MT understanding q
it. cause, she was throwing out luminous
shells on the aide nearest the land. burst.
ing At lofty elevation at . distance Of
about half mile from the ship, difrussd
bright light over the water, BY which
the smallest boat within the distance Of
amile might have been distinctly seen.
The rAttls Of drum beating TO quarter.
came across the watsf but IL was clear
that she at least would no. bs caught
mapping. Bot, while within . wide cir.