Answer a)

The 30 most frequent words (case-sensitive counting):
 13721 the
  6536 of
  6024 and
  4569 a
  4542 to
  3916 in
  2982 that
  2459 his
  2209 it
  2122 I
  1739 s
  1695 is
  1661 he
  1659 with
  1632 was
  1620 as
  1462 all
  1414 for
  1280 this
  1231 at
  1136 by
  1113 but
  1103 not
  1058 him
  1052 from
  1030 be
  1005 on
   918 so
   906 whale
   889 one

Since the assignment did not specify whether to use case-sensitivity,
full credit could also be obtained by using case-insensitive counting.

Answer b)
Again, this is the result assuming case-insensitivity.
    76 harpoon
   906 whale
    59 blood
    24 love
     7 peace
     4 flowers
