The Wasp, 1918 · page 117 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 117: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page recounts a fictional pirate narrative rather than containing a political cartoon. It describes a new pirate ship named the *Wasp*, distinguished by its speed and a flag bearing a broken leg-iron device—a symbol likely referencing liberation from slavery. The text names three established pirate figures (Major Deck, Hellfire Hicks, Duval) to establish context, then introduces this new, more daring practitioner. The *Wasp* has attacked three times near Caribbean islands (Barbados and St. Lucia), with witnesses from shore observing crews forced to walk the plank. The broken leg-iron imagery suggests this pirate may have anti-slavery associations—a detail *The Wasp* magazine would emphasize for satirical effect. The narrative builds toward describing brutal violence, positioning the story as commentary on maritime lawlessness in colonial Caribbean waters, though the full satirical point requires seeing accompanying illustrations or knowing the magazine's specific date and editorial stance.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
108 THE WASP ~ was engaged with feastings, junketings, and flirtations, a small barque entered the harbour with a fine story to tell of recent high-sea outrages that had taken place to the southward. The master of the barque told his news to the governor of the island and the commander of the frigate. From his account it was evident that a new and exceedingly venturesome gentle- man of fortune had set to HO among the islands. This latest practitioner was not to be con- founded with Major Deck, Hellfire Hicks, or Duval. He sailed a big, white schooner and flew a red flag emblazoned with a device that might be intended to represent a broken leg-iron. The ‘schooner had already been named the Wasp by honest seafarers, because of the swiftness of her sting. ; -She had already stung three times, to he sure knowledge of the master of the barque— a once off Carlisle Bay, in Barbados, and twice off St. Lucia. The dreadful and brazen outrages against humanity and law had been viewed from hilltops ashore. In each case the helpless watchers had seen man after man make the short, bitter passage of the plank, prodded and quickened by knives and ‘cutlasses. In every come sooks.com