5582. On the land?-No; on the sea in a little boat. They will take any small portion of fish we may give them, and hand us refreshments in return.
5583. Do you get a larger sum for your fish in that way?-No; I never knew of any larger sum that was given in that way than the country currency.
5584. Is that practice what you call smuggling the fish?-I suppose so.
5585. Do you think it is much done?-It is not much done now. Formerly it was done to some extent, but not to any great extent.
5586. I suppose there were some factors or merchants in the country who did it good deal in buying fish on the sly in that way at one time?-I believe there was at one time, but not so much now.
[Page 138]
5587. Did they give a higher price for the fish than the fish-curers give?-Yes.
5588. Was it a higher price than the currency?-Yes.
5589. Are there it few of these men still?-Yes.
5590. They do come from Lerwick?-No; they are just people living in the country.