The Wasp, 1918 · page 218 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 218: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a serialized fiction excerpt rather than a satirical cartoon. The narrative describes Captain Trimmer, apparently a pirate or privateer operating the ship *Le Diable*, proposing to expand his criminal enterprise into two vessels. His first mate (Slim Sam) and James Burnham strategically oppose the plan, not on moral grounds, but by flattering Trimmer's ego—arguing he's uniquely irreplaceable and cannot command two ships simultaneously. This manipulation succeeds: Trimmer feels flattered by being called indispensable, yet remains committed to his ambitions. The satire targets masculine vanity and ego as a tool for manipulation, and perhaps critiques how men of fortune justify their schemes through self-aggrandizing logic. Without knowing *The Wasp*'s publication date, broader context remains unclear.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP 1 209 acquire wealth almost twice as fast, and soon be in a position to retire and live in England like a squire. Meanwhile, he would be the greatest gentle- man of fortune afloat. He possessed the brains and courage, themen, and now theships. Héléne would see that he was a much greater man than the late Hicks. His vanity glowed. So he called his officers into the after-cabin of Le Diable and laid his plan before.them. Slim Sam trod lightly on James Burnham’s toe beneath the table, then smoothly opposed the captain’s suggestion of carrying on his activities in two hulls. Trimmer flared; but the first mate calmed him by saying that he objected to the plan because of its one and only weak spot. Could Captain Trimmer be aboard two vessels at once? No. Then how was the ~ second vessel to be successfully operated ? Each schooner would need a leader. They _- had the ships, the guns, and the men; but had they more than one capable leader? No. This being so, he, the first mate, was in favour of keeping to their present arrangements and their small but safe winnings. Trimmer was pleased with his first’ officer's tribute, but was not weakened in his intentions. : comichooks.com