The Wasp, 1913 · page 285 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 285: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents a dramatic dialogue between two sea captains—James (apparently "Captain Burnham") and Tom Croft—discussing a rival named Trimmer who commands a schooner with a full crew. James threatens to poach Trimmer's men and attack his vessel at night, proposing violence ("cut out Trimmer's stinking heart"). Croft resists, citing superstition: the number thirteen has brought bad luck to his crewmates. James responds with a death threat to silence further objections. The scene appears to depict piracy, mutiny, or maritime crime of the 19th century. Without seeing accompanying illustrations or knowing *The Wasp's* specific satirical targets, it's unclear whether this represents actual historical figures, contemporary maritime rivalries, or allegory for political/business conflicts. The dialogue emphasizes themes of loyalty, fear, and violent coercion at sea.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
280 THE WASP “Aye,” returned James with a dangerous, slow smile which caused the thick skin on the back of Croft’s neck to twitch and creep. “Aye, Tom, he’s got his’ schooner, and he’s got his full crew; and here am I with twelve men left of my crew and a fourteen-foot boat. But can you name me ten lads o’ his crew who wouldn’t leave him and come to me at a whistle? Not you, Tom Croft. And how will his new moons and his old wives’ tales serye him when we slip into his harbor some dark night and you go over the rail o’ the schooner and into the forecastle and tell the lads that Captain Burnham is waiting alongside to take command and cut out Trimmer’s stinking heart? How’ll the luck fall then?” “Aye, sir, yell have the wind o’ him if ye ever come up with him; but we won’t never go over the rail o’ the white schooner if we sail a company o’ thirteen. Thirteen has done for many a stout mate Oo’ mine, cap’n.” “And if you let me hear any more o’ your silly babbling it will bring yourself to a violent and sud- den death,” retorted James with a snarl in his voice. Comichooks.com