The Wasp, 1913 · page 87 of 364
The Wasp — 1913 — page 87: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a dramatic scene from a serialized story in *The Wasp*, rather than a political cartoon. The page depicts a confrontation involving: - **Burnham**: a dignified man accused of being a pirate - **The Governor**: a colonial official skeptical of the accusation - **Smith**: a crew member from a ship ("the brig") making the accusation against Burnham, whom he identifies as "Hellfire Hicks," a pirate Smith accuses Burnham of seducing the governor's daughter and uses moralistic language ("lust o' the blood") to inflame the situation. The satire appears to target Smith's hypocritical righteousness—he denounces "lustful men" while working for a pirate ship and using inflammatory rhetoric to manipulate authority. The piece likely mocks opportunistic informants or self-righteous accusers who exploit moral panic for personal gain, a common *Wasp* theme.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Vv HAVE already heard something of it,” said | the governor dryly. “You have done my daughter a slight service, have your? I am under obligations to Hellfire Hicks, am 1? ~ What is the world coming to? But you'll have a fair hearing, my man.” Burnham drew himself up with dignity, and his glance kindled upon the other; but he made no re- tort, for at that moment the party from the brig halted within a few yards of their quarry and Smith began to address the governor in a high, twanging voice. “That’s him, yer honor!” he cried, pointing at Burnham and wagging his goatish beard. “Aye, that’s the pirate—that’s Hicks. Come ashore to see one o’ his wenches, did he? Undone through the lust o’ the blood! So may all lustful men be brought to justice untempered by mercy! Bid her drop her consuming hand from yer honor’s neck. 84 Comichooks.com