JAPANESE SHORE STATIONS 



were a few hoarse shouts, a sharp command, the rat- 

 tle of a heavy chain, and a great splash as the whale 

 was dropped into the water. 



On shore the station bell was clanging and men 

 were assembling on the wharf; strong well-built fel- 

 lows they were, many of them half naked and busy 



"A steel wire cable was looped about the tail just in front of 

 the flukes, and the huge carcass drawn slowly upward over 

 the end of the wharf." 



sharpening the blades of murderous-looking knives. 

 With them mingled dozens of women and girls clad 

 in tight blue trousers and kimonas, each one armed 

 with a stout iron hook or with carrying racks slung 

 over their shoulders. 



In a few moments the rattling steam winch had 



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