15,854. What did you give them besides tobacco?-I sometimes had a few dishes that they required, and they took them or tea.
15,855. Does that account for there being so many entries of tea in your book?-Yes. I got wool and potatoes for tea.
15,856. At the settlement in July last there was a balance due by you to Mr. Laurenson?-Yes.
15,857. Have you not been working to him since?-I was not able to work.
15,858. About a month ago you got a notice from him that you would be summoned to court unless you paid the balance of your debt, 14s. 31/2d?-Yes; but I did not expect that I should have had anything to pay.
15,859. Did you think the balance was in your favour?-Yes, I expected that.
15,860. But you were running up an account, and you did not know?-Yes, but that was not my blame. I always wanted a settlement; and if he had paid me for my work and my goods, I would not have been due him anything.
15,861. When did you leave home?-I left home on Thursday, and came by the steamboat. I did not go on board of her at Ollaberry until Saturday night, but I had left home two days before, and had to wait for her.
15,862. How old are you?-I was fifty-two in July.
15,863. You are not in good health, and you are not able to walk a long distance?-No. I cannot walk far on account of the rheumatics.