The Wasp, 1913 · page 255 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 255: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is from a serialized narrative rather than a political cartoon. It depicts a naval chase scene involving three vessels: the *Tartar* (a sloop), a pursuing "big brig" (a twenty-two gun warship), and a white schooner. The text describes desperate preparations for battle. A character named Scovil and young sailors (reefers) brace for combat, knowing their odds are nearly impossible—"not two in a hundred." The crew makes grim jokes while preparing guns and loading ammunition before dawn. Without additional context about *The Wasp's* publication date or the story's framing, the specific historical naval conflict remains unclear. However, this appears to be adventure fiction using naval warfare as dramatic entertainment—a common Victorian-era serialized format. The satirical magazine likely included such stories alongside its political commentary and cartoons. The page emphasizes the sailors' courage facing near-certain defeat.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
250 THE WASP > pluck us, sir,” replied the hopeful and courageous reefer. ‘And maybe, even if he does catch us, he’ll find our feathers hard to pull.” Scovil patted the lad kindly on the shoulder. “Something may turn up,” he said with a smile. “Tf nothing else does, our toes are sure to!” All day the big brig continued to overhaul the sloop; and the white schooner, which had gone about, continued to run neck and neck with the quarry down the wind not more than half a mile away. The sun went down, the moon came up, and the Tartar continued to run desperately against hope. Sky and sea were clear of any cloud or hint of mist. When-the moon had run her course the stars were like lamps. The Tartar was cleared for action before dawn. All hands had an early breakfast, at which rum was served, and went to their stations. The guns were loaded and shot were heated. The brave fellows joked as they awaited daylight and death, though all but the youngsters knew that the chances of a sloop fighting off a twenty-two gun brig were not two in a hundred. Zs Comicnooks.com