16,349. Do you always go straight down from the Custom House to the agent's office and pay your account?-Yes.
16,350. Are you expected to go straight down?-I don't know, but I think it my duty to do so.
16,351. Are you expected to take some of your supplies from the agent who engages you?-We just take them as we require them.
16,352. But if you require supplies or an outfit, are you expected to take them from the agent who engages you?-Yes, we can do nothing else but take them from him; we cannot go to a strange shop for them, because they would not give them to us.
16,353. Why would they not give you credit at it strange shop?- Because they do no business with us, and perhaps they would not know us.
16,354. Would you not have your first month's pay in advance with which to buy what you wanted?-Not very often, because I don't take it out in that way.
16,355 But you could it?-Yes.
16,356. And if you had it you could get what you wanted at another shop?-Yes.
16,357. When you go in to engage with an agent does he, or do his shop-people, ask you if you want anything?-No.
16,358. Do you generally get an advance note?-Yes, we get it, but we leave it with the agent; at least I do.