Morning journal and courier., 1886-12-14
QUEER AmmUNHTION.
Roman Candles as Weapons of Gfense
 and Defense.

and Defense, From tke Omaha Herald 'One of my adventures, chg" began the book agent, as the others settled into their seats more comfortably. "Well, about eight years ago carried pack of novelties, such as you frequently see exhibited on the street corners and presided over by a sunburned Italian. With another man and young fel- low of IS, travelled through Kansas to the Colorado line, selling and trading our wares to the Indians for anything marketable in the cities. About the time of our arrival in the western part of Kansas the memorable h. dian outbreak was terrorizing the country. From the south and west came reports of the terrible outrages perpetrated by the Indians and greasers. Houses were burned, the inmates were killed instantly or tortured to death and all the cattle were driven off and scattered. You may be sure felt con- siderable solicitude concerning the safety of my little party and took extra precautions to find secluded spots when camping. Of course, under the conditions, deemed it ad visable to get out of the nelghborhood inn mediately To do so we found it necessary to pass through the country most likely to be infested by struggling bands of Indians. De- spite the risks we determined to make the at tempt.
 "After a long, hard days tramp, we en- camped for the night in one of those small canyons so prevalent in western Kansas. It was an excellent place, too. Our backs were effectually protected by natural cave in the side of the bank, the entrance to which was concealed by brush and tall grass. Sam, the boy of the party, was an unusually bright young fellow and very familiar with the tao tics of Indian warfare. Just before lying down Inoticed him uctying good sized bundle of ofi oLc Ia placed tbem in easy reach and tumbled down to sleep I had also noticed him fumbling around the bushes short time before, but didn't pay much attention to his actions. The other fellow and myself concluded not to set guard, as were in such an excel lent place. I didn't know how long we had slept when we were awakened by Sam shaking us slightly and whispering:
 " Be quick now, the Indians are getting ready to slip on us.'
 ssBy this time we were both wide awake and ready with our rifles.
 [" fListen,' whispered Sam; 'hear the dirty scamps slipping up. Put down the rifles. I've got something better
 "He handed each of us four of the sticks mentioned, remarking:
 6 sThem's Roman candles. I've got pile of whoppers along and I think we can scare these scamps clean out of their hides
 q caught the idea in moment and strain ed my ears to listen for further demonssra- tions from the attacking party. We could hear them creeping here and there through the bushes, scarcely making a noise, but easily distinguished in the silence of the night.
 7' 'Now, whispered Sam, take two in each hand and I'll light them
 "Suiting the action to the word, he con- trived to light them in rapid succession. Then we turned them into the bushes, and heavensl what sight was revealed the candies flashed. About fifty villainous look ing savages and greasers were stepping and creeping along toward us. At the first flash they stopped if spellbound. We turned them so the green and white balls would strike them in their faces. The candles were tre- mendous affairs, and eight or ten of them pop ping away, apparently independent of human