The Wasp, 1918 · page 243 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 243: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page appears to be from a serialized **adventure fiction story**, not political satire or cartooning. The text describes a dramatic narrative involving pirates and naval action. The plot involves Alexander Burnham attempting a covert operation to prevent his brother James (a "notorious pirate") from being captured alive by authorities. Alexander has disguised himself as a seaman and left his companion Elizabeth safely aboard a ship called the *Thunderous*. He's determined to kill James rather than see him publicly tried and executed—a fate he imagines with horror (the device mentioned is apparently a branding or marking for punishment). The cutters are approaching Bottle Harbour by stealth to carry out this mission. **This is serialized melodramatic fiction rather than satire**, so modern readers wouldn't be "missing" satirical commentary about contemporary politics or social figures—the content is straightforward narrative adventure writing typical of 19th-century magazine serials.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
234 THE WASP : oes shameful stage of the terrible « proceedings. Already in his mind’s eye he saw the gloating populace and the incredulous and austere judge, the curiosity of every one to obtain a closer view of the device on the back of the notorious pirate, the horror and rage on thousands of faces when the story of the prisoner’s crimes was told. And he—perhaps even Elizabeth—would be forced to bear witness that this monster was none ~ other than James Burnham. Perhaps he would be called upon to disclose the Cleese upon his own shoulder. The Thunderous lay to off the black oe and three cutters, full of armed men, pulled © away from her with muffled oars.. Alexander Burnham crouched in the bow of one of the cutters. He had left Elizabeth sleeping soundly in their comfortable cabin aboard the frigate. He was dressed like a common seaman, and his face and hands were stained so as to look ‘rough and weather-beaten. He felt that it was hopeless to think of warning James of the attack. He could think of no plan of action ; but he was determined that James should not be taken abot the frigate alive. — The cutters found the entrance to Bottle Harbour and crept silently into the basin. They | icomicbooks:com