The Wasp, 1913 · page 260 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 260: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is a narrative excerpt, likely from a serialized story in *The Wasp*, rather than a political cartoon. The text describes characters—Alexander, Scovil, and Burnham—aboard a naval vessel (the sloop-of-war *Tartar*). A mysterious letter, delivered via bottle by someone identified as "the notorious Wasp" (an Englishman), creates dramatic tension when it's revealed to be addressed to Burnham, causing him to pale and shake with apparent dread or guilt. The "Wasp" appears to be a character or operative within the story—possibly a spy or agent—rather than a reference to the magazine itself. The narrative hinges on naval intrigue and the contents of the sealed letter, which remains unopened. Without seeing previous pages, the exact historical or political context remains unclear, though the Royal Navy setting suggests 19th-century British naval fiction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP 255 Alexander. “The notorious Wasp is an English- man, then. I take off my hat to him.” “He saved the sloop and the life of every man of us who is alive to-day,” replied Scovil gravely. “Yes, he is an Englishman—and I owe him a debt which I fear I shall never be able to repay.” “But why did he throw the bottle aboard the sloop?” asked Burnham. “There was a letter in it.” “A letter? That should be interesting reading.” “TI have not read it, my dear lad. I have not broken the seal—and it is fastened with a very good one. It is addressed to you, Alexander.” “To me?” cried Burnham, suddenly paling and shaking. “To me, sir? What can that mean? Let me have it!” © Scovil produced a small, crumpled packet from an inner pocket. He held it in his hand, and the other read the following inscription on the face of it: “To Alexander Burnham, Esq., Royal Navy, Sloop- of-war Tartar.” Comichooks.com