The Wasp, 1918 · page 245 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 245: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a passage from a serialized fictional narrative rather than a political cartoon or satire. The text describes a dramatic scene involving a pirate captain's capture and escape. The scene depicts: a pirate captain being identified by a young lieutenant of a ship called the *Thunderous* through a distinctive device or tattoo on the pirate's shoulder. A character named Alexander witnesses this discovery. The narrative then describes nighttime chaos on a beach—prisoners, wounded being transported, gunfire—during which one of two lanterns is deliberately or accidentally extinguished, allowing the pirate captain to escape his bonds and flee into the jungle. The passage suggests this is adventure/action fiction rather than political satire. Without seeing accompanying illustrations or understanding the broader serialized story's context, the specific satirical or comedic intent remains unclear.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
236 -. THE WASP of them, was pointed _out as the captain by one : of his comrades. Alexander, lurking behind a bush, witnessed the discovery, made by a young lieutenant of the Thunderous, of the see: on the pirate’s shoulder. The young lieutenant showed conde ale : astonishment. Perhaps he had heard some-— thing of James Burnham and the design on his back during his brief stay in Nevis. Alexander heard him ask a question, and heard James admit his identity in reply. | The night was‘cloudy The two lanterns ashore threw short and feeble bands of yellow light. The prisoners and the wounded were being carried down, muskets and pistols were — | discharged occasionally in the jungle, and the men of the Thunderous jostled and crowded on the sand near the beached cutters. One of the lanterns was overturned, broken, and the | candle extinguished by a careless or designing foot. Some one shouted that the pirate ova | had escaped into the jungle. _ : ae Confusion reigned for a little while, and the | men who had captured the schooner came ashore with torchesand lanterns. The cords with which the pirate commander’s wrists and ankles had — been bound were found lying on the sand, cleanly ~ i | Beomuceccks Cont