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THE CANNERY BOAT

Since they were all together they amused themselves by making as much noise as possible.

Sessito curled himself into a ball, and threw himself with all his force on the wall. Then again he bit his lips, puffed out his cheeks and hurled himself on it like a bull. “Be quiet there!” shouted the guard.

When Sessito saw that this was no good, he began to kick the walls. The others followed his example, and the wooden walls creaked. Only Ishida remained quiet.

He walked up and down with folded arms, muttering something to himself.

The door opened again. Senzomoto and Watari were led away. What did that mean? Left without their leaders, the others no longer kicked the walls.

Ishida’s eyes fell on Rinkichi, who was sitting in a corner with his eyes closed. “He is here, too,” thought Ishida. He was afraid that there was something more serious behind to-day’s arrests than they had all imagined. He went up to Rinkichi Ogawa.

“Comrade Ogawa.”

Rinkichi raised his head.

“Comrade Ogawa, what does this all mean?”

“I can’t make it out myself. I was just intending to ask Comrade Watari about it.”

“It’s evidently connected with our meeting about the present cabinet.”

“Yes, I thought of that, too. But if such is the case they need to lock us up for one day. But as it is——

The others crowded round them, listening