tom swift among the diamond makers

 The retard or something like that was something like a medieval grand launcher. without the launching where they would run-up to a wall and set up a bomb or sorts. and light it and then runt at why it was almost suicidal because they had to get out there before they were blown to pieces. that why the light was on a long pole so they had a little head start they also had a little head start from the fuse but they go fast so they had to run fast the bombs were usually made with iron or lead or just plain old steel or anything that's a kind of metal.