The Wasp, 1918 · page 267 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 267: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a serialized narrative story rather than a political cartoon. The text describes a dramatic scene aboard a ship where a character named M. Hatte—initially believed to be a French trader—reveals himself as a pirate associated with "the Wasp," drawing two knives during a cabin meeting with Captain Smith and Mr. Winch. The humor is melodramatic rather than satirical: the setup plays on mistaken identity and false civility (trading drinks) disrupted by sudden violent threat. The characters' "sickly, mirthless grins" and raised hands suggest comedic overacting of fear. Without additional context about which *Wasp* publication this is, when it was published, or who the real "Wasp" reference might invoke, the specific political or social satire remains unclear. This reads as entertainment fiction with adventure-story conventions rather than commentary on contemporary events or figures.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
XVII SMITH refused to show his fish until the rum and brandy were brought aboard the brig, so.a large keg of rum and a small keg of brandy were hoisted out of the fore-and-after and up the brig’s side. ~ This M. Hatte was evidently a simpleton. When Smith invited him into the cabin he went. Mr. Winch entered the cabin also. The captain served rum and water in earthenware mugs, and all three sat down at the table. The visitor produced two heavy knives from the folds of his sash, one in each hand. “Ye took me for a French trader, did ye?” he said. “ Up with yer fipper: ! I bea bloody pirate, and one o’ the Wasp’s one Sit where ye be, mates ! ” Captain Smith and Mr. Winch held their hands above their heads and stared at their guest with horrified eyes. Their lips were twisted in sickly, mirthless grins. David Jones was now on his feet. “Td a ye meself, but for fear o’ offending — | 258 se icomicbooks ‘com