The Wasp, 1913 · page 27 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a literary excerpt rather than a cartoon—a scene from a serialized story in the satirical magazine *The Wasp*. The dialogue features two characters, Burnham and Hobkirk (a shipmaster), discussing a pursuing vessel. The context involves naval conflict, likely referencing the era of privateering or naval warfare (possibly involving French ships, given the historical references). Burnham expresses frustration that the King's navy is occupied chasing French vessels, leaving pirates or privateers ("spawn o' the evil one") free to operate at sea. The shipmaster assures Burnham they can outrun their pursuer if the wind holds, as the other ship is fouled and slow. The satire likely mocks either naval incompetence, privateering, or maritime dangers of the period. Without seeing the magazine's date or broader context, the specific historical event or figures being satirized remains unclear.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
26 THE WASP Burnham laughed again and laid a hand on Hob- kirk’s shoulder. “Oh, I’m no -fire-eater, my friend,’ he said lightly; “but I have heard stories of those gentry astern.that set my teeth on edge to be at them at the first sight of them. The sea should be cleaned of them. What are the king’s ships doing?” “A very noble sentiment, sir, and one as does credit to yer heart,” said the shipmaster ; “but the king’s ships be all on the hunt after the French ships, and so it falls out that these spawn o’ the evil one be masters 0’ the sea.” “Will she overhaul us, think you?” asked Burn- ham. “Not unless she follows us clear into Kingston Harbor—if this wind holds. And it’ll hold,-ye may swear to that. We'll slip her this v’yage. She don’t sail-her old clip. Foul, like as not, an’ needs to be hove up an’ scrope, Heaven be praised!’ _ Burnham turned again and looked hungrily and ‘viciously at the vessel far astern; then he went be- Jow and waited for his breakfast in a fretful temper. Comichooks.com