10,803. Had you an account with Mr. Tait that year?-Yes, I had several accounts.
10,804. Was that for your own supplies at home?-Yes; they required a little while I was away.
10,805. I suppose you always had an account with the agent who engaged you for the fishing?-Yes.
10,806. At that time I believe these accounts were generally settled in the agent's office and the amount of your account was deducted from the payment of your wages and the first payment of oil-money?-Yes.
10,807. And you settled the final payment of oil-money at any time that suited you when you were in Lerwick?-Yes.
10,808. Was the settlement of your account made when you landed from the ship?-Yes; if we chose to make it there and then, we could do so.
10,809. But it was very often later?-Yes, pretty often. I cannot say how much it was later. If I came into Lerwick, and the packet was ready to leave, so that I had not time to carry through a settlement then, I would go home, and then I would return in about a fortnight or so, and have a settlement made.
10,810. How was the second payment of oil-money made to you? Was it in cash?-Yes, generally it was in cash.
10,811. Did you sometimes get it in goods?-If I wanted goods I could get them, but I was commonly paid in cash.
10,812. When you were to settle for your first payment, I suppose you generally had some small account standing?-Yes.