The Wasp, 1913 · page 151 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 151: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page appears to be from a serialized fictional narrative rather than a political cartoon. It depicts the preparation for a formal duel at dawn between unnamed gentlemen on a beach. The text describes five men—including Captain Cross, James Burnham, Stanton, Mr. Willis (a surgeon), and Mr. Throgmorton—gathering before sunrise with rapiers and medical supplies. The elaborate, poetic description of the seaside setting contrasts with the serious, ritualistic nature of their meeting. While *The Wasp* was primarily a satirical magazine, this particular page reads as dramatic fiction, possibly satirizing the gentleman's code of honor or the absurdity of dueling practices. Without seeing previous pages establishing context or character identities, the specific satirical target remains unclear, though the theatrical staging and inclusion of a surgeon suggests commentary on the ritualized violence of dueling culture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
148 THE WASP Then he laughed, undressed, and retired. Before the sun was above the eastern sea five men gathered on the sand beside the cold spring, at the roots of the whitewood trees, by the gentle beat and seethe of the soft-footed surf. The east was aflame with clearest gold and rose; above that the pale-green of twilight; westward of that again a few paling stars. The breathing sea lay half in shadow, half in fire. Birds awoke and twittered in the thickets of sea grape and whitewood. The air was cool and a little breeze fanned in from the vast salt acres. The five men stood close together for a moment or two and exchanged a few words; then Stanton withdrew a few paces to the left and James Burn- ham to the right. Young Mr. Willis, the surgeon, had brought a case containing bandages, surgical needles, and stimulants. Captain Cross carried a bundle under one arm. He threw it down, unrolled it,-and disclosed two straight rapiers to the clean radiance of the new day. Mr. Throgmorton examined the swords, weigh- Comichooks.com