The Wasp, 1918 · page 266 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 266: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a narrative passage rather than a political cartoon. The text describes an encounter between two ships—Captain Smith's vessel and a French brig commanded by "Pierre Hatte" (revealed to be David Jones). The passage depicts a commercial transaction on the high seas involving traded goods (salt fish, molasses, tobacco, brandy). The humor and satire likely lie in the deception and mistaken identities: a man using an assumed French name conducting business while possessing minimal English capability, while Captain Smith speaks no French. This language barrier comedy and the implication of illicit or dubious maritime trade suggests social commentary on seafaring commerce, possibly involving smuggling or fraudulent dealing. Without seeing accompanying illustrations or knowing the specific historical context of *The Wasp* publication date, the exact satirical target remains unclear—though it appears to mock either maritime culture or Franco-American commercial dealings.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP 259 molasses, tobacco or brandy. Captain Smith winked at his mate and replied to the French- man that he had some very superior salt fish in his hold and would be glad to do business. The brig was laid to. The little fore-and-after came alongside very cleverly, letting her main- sail and foresail belly down to the deck at the very moment that Mr. Winch heaved her a line. - There was no sea running. | The two vessels lay side to side. The fellow who had hailed the brig mounted the schooner’s rail and scrambled up the brig’s side. He wore nothing but a soiled shirt, soiled canvas breeches, and a wide sash of red silk. His legs and feet were bare and weather-stained. He announced himself as Pierre Hatte, master of La Belle -Marie. Wis hair was black and his eyes dark and quick. His real name was David Jones. The bargaining proceeded. slowly, for M. Hatte possessed very little English and Captain Smith no French at all. ey Comichooks.com