The Wasp, 1918 · page 75 of 330
The Wasp — 1918 — page 75: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This appears to be a **narrative fiction excerpt** rather than a political cartoon. The page depicts an adventure story set in a jungle, likely colonial-era based on references to "Captain Algernon Nash, governor of Nevis" (a Caribbean island). The scene shows action: Burnham is exhausted and collapsing while fleeing with a young woman (apparently his daughter). A boy named Todd fires a musket, presumably at pursuers. The governor—the girl's father—arrives breathless. **The satire likely targets**: The pompous incompetence of colonial administrators. Nash is characterized as out-of-shape, struggling to run, representing the physical and moral weakness of imperial governance. His impressive "proportions" and dislike of exertion contrast with the younger generation's vigor. Without seeing illustrations, I cannot identify specific caricatures or political figures depicted. The piece appears to mock colonial administration through this adventure narrative framework, but the exact satirical target remains unclear without additional context.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
66 THE WASP weepon loaded an’ primed, an’ [ll let er off at 1? _ the first feller what heaves in sight ! Burnham nodded and continued his ascent of the jungle-flanked path. He stumbled once, but recovered himself with an effort which caused his face to twist with the agony of exhaustion. The young woman wrenched herself suddenly from his arms, put a hand beneath his elbow, and ran, supporting him at her side; but the pace was too brisk for him, in spite of her strong - young arm, and he fell heavily in the trail and lay gasping. She stood beside him and looked back. She ~ saw the boy Todd, who had halted at a bend in the path, bring the musket to his shoulder. She could not see what he threatened. The thumping report rang out upon the stifling air, and the white smoke drifted slowly ee in the foliage of the jungle. The lad uttered a wild and exultant yell and came running up the path. The young woman ‘heard footsteps behind her and turned to face her father. Captain Algernon Nash, governor of Nevis, ~ was past middle age and of impressive propor- tions. Running was not a favourite exercise - of his. He was puffing desperately now and his Comichooks, 4 . ||