5408. And you would make as good a bargain with him as with any other fishmaster?-I have always thought so.
5409. So that you did not fish to him because you were under any compulsion?-No.
5410. Were you under any obligation to do it because you were in his debt?-No. I have never been so deep in his debt but what, if I had it to do, I could have made some effort to get myself clear.
5411. Therefore the answer you previously gave only meant that there might be some men among your neighbours so far in debt that they were obliged to fish to a particular merchant?-Yes; when he supplied them with goods.
5412. Do you think there are many of those men among your neighbours?-I have no doubt there are more that way than there are the other way.
5413. Do you think that arises from the length of time that passes before you can get your money, or is there anything else you can think of that might mend that state of matters?-I cannot say.
5414. Is there anything else you want to tell me about the way in which dealings are carried on here?-No.
5415. You know you are on your oath, and you bound to speak the truth, and nobody can hurt you for anything you say to-day?-I trust that I shall say nothing but the truth, so far as I know.
5416. From whom do you hold your land and house?-From Mr. Bell of Lunna.
5417. Are you not bound by the terms of your lease to fish for any particular person?-No; he did not bind me to do that. I got liberty to serve myself and to fish for any one I pleased when I took the land from him; only if I went to Skerries I would have had to fish for John Robertson, who had a tack of Mr. Bell's land; but if I fished in any other way, he did not stop me from fishing for any person.