The Wasp, 1913 · page 248 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 248: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains text from what appears to be a serialized fictional narrative rather than a political cartoon. It describes a piracy plot involving characters named Trimmer, Burnham, Major Deck, and Duval, who are dividing stolen goods and planning coordinated attacks on rivals. The passage depicts a criminal agreement sworn with profane oaths, followed by recruitment of fifty volunteers for a ship under Burnham's command. When all men volunteer—rather than just the requested fifty—Trimmer interprets this as a public slight to his authority, though he masks his displeasure. The text suggests this is from a serialized adventure or crime story published in *The Wasp*, a satirical magazine. Without seeing accompanying illustrations or knowing the broader context, it's unclear whether this narrative itself constitutes satire of actual historical events or figures, or is simply fictional entertainment.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP 243 Trimmer was to have the lion’s share of the win- nings of the new vessel, as well as of the old. Both were to keep a sharp lookout for Major Deck and Duval, and attack either of these rivals if they saw fair chances of success. Ina year’s time they were to meet in the most secluded of their three retreats and, if advisable at the time, make a final division of all spoils, and then scatter. There were twelve other minor clauses in the agreement. Trimmer, Burnham, and the other leaders swore to abide by the terms of the agree- ment with oaths that might well have brought with- ering fire from heaven upon thei unwodly heads. In the morning the plan was roughly explained to all the men save those who were with Wells and the Canadian prisoners aboard the prize. The hardy ruffians cheered. Captain Trimmer asked for fifty volunteers to sail with Mr. Burnham. Every man of the company volunteered to go with the new commander. This was a slap in the face for Trim- mer; but he grinned as if he liked it and set to work ‘to select the fifty himself. Comichooks.com