The Wasp, 1913 · page 275 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 275: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains **narrative text only—no visible cartoon or illustration**. It appears to be from a serialized story about a naval engagement, describing the capture of a pirate schooner and the subsequent escape of the pirate captain. The text recounts a dramatic nighttime scene: the U.S. warship *Thunderous* has captured an enemy vessel, but during the chaotic landing, a pirate accomplice extinguishes a lantern, cuts the bound captain's wrists and ankles, and helps him escape into the jungle. Despite a brief pursuit, the pirates vanish into the dense vegetation. **Without visible illustrations**, we cannot identify specific political figures or satirical targets. The content reads as straightforward adventure fiction rather than political commentary. To understand *The Wasp's* satirical intent here, we would need to see accompanying cartoons or have additional context about the publication date and any contemporary events being referenced.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
270 THE WASP threw short and feeble bands of yellow light. The prisoners and the wounded were being carried down, muskets and pistols were discharged occasionally in the jungle, and the men of the Thunderous jostled and crowded on the sand near the beached cutters. One of the lanterns was overturned, broken, and the candle extinguished by a careless or designing foot. Some one shouted that the pirate captain had es- caped into the jungle. Confusion reigned for a little while, and the men who had captured the schooner came ashore with torches and lanterns. The cords with which the pirate commander’s~wrists and ankles had been bound were found lying on the sand, cleanly cut. through. Evidently one of the escaped pirates had crept out of the edge of the jungle, trampled upon the lantern, and cut his captain free. This was the opinion of the officers in command of the war-ship’s boats. A brief and fruitless expedition was made into the jungle. Half an hour later the three boats re- tired with the captured schooner towing behind them. They reached the frigate before dawn. Comichooks.com