The Wasp, 1913 · page 181 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 181: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page appears to be from a serialized narrative rather than a political cartoon. It describes the internal operations of what seems to be a pirate ship under a captain named Trimmer, detailing their prize-distribution system and crew conduct rules. The text recounts a hierarchical profit-sharing arrangement where the captain takes three shares, officers take two, and crew members take one (with three young sailors receiving half-shares). It emphasizes the crew's honor code—they don't steal from each other directly, only through gambling—and maintain discipline through social pressure rather than punishment. The passage then introduces dramatic tension: crew member James Burnham has lost fifty of seventy guineas gambling within two days, and a mysterious sail appears on the horizon, suggesting an impending encounter or conflict. **Without seeing accompanying illustrations, the satirical or humorous intent remains unclear.** This reads as adventure fiction rather than explicit social or political satire targeting specific contemporary figures or events.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
re 176 THE WASP Trimmer’s method of doing business was to declare dividends every capture and pass every man’s share of the spoils over to him. The schooner counted as five men, and so took five shares, the resultant fund being devoted to her upkeep. The captain took three shares to himself; all other officers, no matter of what grade, two shares each; and able- bodied members of the crew, including the two cooks, got one share each. There were three lads who only drew half shares. They never robbed one another, save through the medium of cards or dice. They left their treasure lying in unlocked chests, in open bags, or even loose in their berths. Play was high and drinking was heavy ; but, if a man became unduly troublesome in his cups or dangerously excited over the play, he was promptly brought to order, During the first two days out from Bottle Har- bor James Burnham lost fifty of his seventy guineas at play. Early on the third day a flashing white sail was sighted to the westward. Captain ~ Comichooks.com