13,075. Was Mr. Bruce not sending a vessel of his own at that time?-He could not get a vessel to go. It is such a nasty coast for inexperienced men, that it is difficult to get men to venture there.
13,076. You agreed to go only on condition that you had the trade in your own hands?-Yes; and I had his freight in the meantime.
13,077. Did you understand at that time that you were not at liberty to trade with the Fair Isle people without Mr. Bruce's permission?-I did not understand anything about it. He only asked me to go with freight, and I asked him if I would be at liberty to trade with the people myself, and he said I would.
13,078. Did he not say that it was only for this special occasion that you were to have liberty?-He did not.
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Boddam, Dunrossness, January 26, 1872, 1872 JOHN HALCROW, examined.
13,079. You are a fisherman at Levenwick?-I am.
13,080. On whose property is your ground?-On that of Mr. Bruce of Simbister.
13,081. Was that ground formerly under tack to Robert Mouat?- Yes. His tack expired about a year ago; but before that, he had become bankrupt.
13,082. Were you bound to fish for him?-Yes.