The Wasp, 1918 · page 60 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 60: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains **serialized fiction** rather than political satire or cartoons. It's from "The Wasp," a satirical magazine, but this particular installment appears to be a dramatic adventure narrative. The text depicts a scene between **James Burnham** (a gentleman, son of a baronet) and **Todd** (a young boy). Burnham has apparently rescued Todd from some distress—Todd fears becoming a pirate and losing opportunities for honest work. Burnham reassures him, takes command by accepting a stolen knife from Todd, and plans their survival: they'll have breakfast and travel toward civilization (a plantation or port within two days). The narrative suggests a **shipwreck or maritime disaster scenario**—they're stranded with provisions salvaged from a boat. Burnham's composed authority and Todd's emotional vulnerability establish their relationship dynamically. Without seeing illustrations or earlier context, the satirical angle remains unclear, but this reads as **adventure fiction** serialized within a satire magazine—possibly parodying contemporary adventure narratives or exploring class dynamics between a gentleman and working boy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE WASP 51 that my name is James Burnham. I am James Burnham, an unfortunate gentleman, and the -son of a baronet. Now, then, have you a + knife ?” Todd produced a large case-knife from a pocket of his canvas trousers. Holding it in his hand, he eyed Burnham timidly. 3 “Tf ye ain’t a pirate,” he whined, ‘‘ what’s to become o’ me? What will I do for a berth? Aw’ how’ll I ever settle my score with Cap’n Smith an’ Mr. Winch ? ” Burnham laughed softly, and his dangerous eyes twinkled quite kindly. Circumstances were making something of an actor of him. ““ Tf we ever get out of this corner, you'll never lack for a berth,’”? he replied. “ And now we'll breakfast again under these trees. _ Give me the knife and fetch up the best of the _ provisions. We can’t be many miles from a house or plantation of some sort, or more than two days’ journey from a port, at the worst.” “J stole this here knife from Mr Winch,” said the boy, passing it over. Among the provisions which the lad carried up from the boat to the grove was a little crock of butter. After the second breakfast Burnham smeared some of this butter over his face and Comichooks.com