The Wasp, 1918 · page 134 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 134: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page depicts the setup for a formal duel between two gentlemen. The narrative describes five men—including Captain Cross, Lieutenant Stanton, James Burnham, surgeon Willis, and Mr. Throgmorton (apparently the seconds or officials)—preparing for a sword fight at dawn on a beach. The passage details the ritualistic elements: examination of matched rapiers for fairness, testing the sand for suitable fighting ground, and positioning of witnesses. The surgeon's presence with bandages and stimulants underscores the deadly stakes. This appears to be **serialized fiction** rather than editorial satire. *The Wasp* was known for both satirical commentary and literary content. Without seeing illustrations or additional context, it's unclear whether this straightforward narrative is itself meant as satire on outdated honor codes, or simply adventure fiction. The page number (125) suggests mid-story placement.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
a THE WASP 125 that the pale-green of twilight; westward of that again a few paling stars. The breathing sea lay half in shadow, half in fire. Birds awoke and twittered in the thickets of sea-grape and whitewood. The air was cool | and a little breeze fanned in from the vast salt acres. The five men stood close together for a moment or two and exchanged a few words ; then Stanton withdrew a few paces to the left and James Burnham to the right. Young Mr. Willis, the surgeon, had brought a case containing bandages, surgical needles, and stimulants. Captain Cross carried a bundle under one arm. He threw it down, unrolled it, and disclosed two straight rapiers to the clean radiance of the new day. : 3 Mr. Throgmorton examined the swords, weighing them one against the other, shaking them until the long blades flickered. He _ measured them, holding them hilt to hilt. ** As like as two peas,” he said. Captain Cross paced about on the sand, staring down at it and testing it with shuffling, stamp- ing feet. The lieutenant followed him. At last the captain seemed satisfied, and, after a word with Throgmorton, he went over to where Es d cComicibooks.com