639. I suppose they paid rent to Mr. Bruce for these stores?-Yes; at least for liberty to have the stores there.
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640. Who were these merchants?-Hay & Co. were put out of the store that Mr. Bruce now occupies.
641. But they have a store at Dunrossness yet?-Yes, they have a store there.
642. How far is it from you?-I think about a quarter of an hour's walk.
643. Is it nearer your place than Gavin Henderson's store?-Yes.
644. Is Hay & Company's store on Mr. Bruce's property?-Yes; but they have a lease of it, otherwise I believe they would not have been there.
645. Can you not sell your fish to Messrs. Hay & Co.?-No.
646. From whom do they buy fish in that quarter?-The tenants of Mr. Bruce of Simbister, through the parish, have liberty to sell their fish where they please, and some of them are sold to Hay & Co.
647. Have you ever been prevented from selling your fish to Messrs. Hay?-I never tried to sell my fish to any other person than Mr. Bruce since he took the fishing.