2999. He keeps a shop and cures fish there?-Yes.
3000. How do you know that that was the reason for this letter being written?-Because Mouat told my father himself in my presence.
3001. Was that before or after the letter was received?-It was after the letter was received, and when my father asked the reason why he was to give his land to another.
3002. Was your father put out of the farm at that time?-He was not.
3003. How did that happen?-Because he lost the use of one of his hands or of his right thumb, and Mouat had a sort of sympathy with him as being unable to earn his bread as he used to do before, and therefore he let him alone for a season until he could get round again, and regain perfect health and strength, but before that season rolled round, Mouat was out the place himself.
3004. Did you consider yourselves bound to take goods from Mouat's store?-We could not do anything else.
3005. Why?-Because we had no money to purchase them with from other stores. We received no money during the fishing season.
3006. Did you ever ask for advances of money during the fishing season?-Yes; but they were refused.
3007. Why?-Because he just would not give it. He gave no reason, except that he could not give it.
3008. But you would get any kind of goods you wanted?-Yes.