The Wasp, 1918 · page 73 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 73: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a **serialized fiction excerpt**, not a political cartoon or satirical commentary. The page presents a dramatic narrative scene featuring characters named Burnham, a young woman, and Todd, apparently fleeing pursuit by ship (the "Virtue"). The scene depicts an action sequence: Burnham rescues the woman from a boat, rows to shore, and escapes gunfire from pursuers. When questioned about the shooting, he defers explanation, suggesting some unresolved conflict or mystery. **Without additional context** (publication date, chapter number, or story title beyond "The Wasp"), I cannot identify what historical event, political scandal, or social issue this narrative references. The tropical setting (coconut trees, harbor) and maritime drama suggest adventure fiction rather than political satire typical of *The Wasp* magazine. This may be a serialized novel or story running in the magazine rather than satirical content.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
O40. THE WASP a and pulling for the shore with renewed vigour. The change of course relieved him vastly ; but still he was closer to the Virtue than he cared to be. As he bent to the oars and drove the little boat smartly shoreward he kept his eyes upon the brig at the back of the harbour. The keel touched the sand at the foot of the coconut-— tree, and at the same moment a boat appeared - around the stern of the Virtue and approached at racing speed to the urge of six wet blades. _ Burnham snatched his oars inboard, jumped over the gunwale into the warm and shallow water, seized the young woman in his arms, and dashed ashore. As he ran across the strip _ of sand the report of a musket rang out from the approaching boat and a ball whined low over his head. Todd whimpered and sprang past the others into the edge of the wood. “Who fired?”. asked the girl. “What is it? Why do yourun?” _ “Jt is a long story,” replied Burnham, smil- ing. ‘I will tell it later—when you are out oe danger. Is this the right path ?” : “ Set me on my feet, so that I can see,” she said. a He let her slip from his arms. She glanced hastily around. |