7089. Where did you ship for that?-From Lerwick.
7090. Who engaged you there?-There were various agents. I generally engaged with Mr. Hay. I think I went ten or twelve voyages for him.
7091. When did you last go to the whale fishing?-I think it was about 1850 or 1851.
7092. How were the men's wages paid then?-It was by so much per month and an allowance of oil-money besides.
7093. Did you get an advance when you shipped?-Yes.
7094. And did you get an outfit from the agent who engaged you?-If you required it, it was there for you; and if not, you got your advance, and could take it where you pleased.
7095. Did you generally get your outfit from the agent in Lerwick who engaged you?-Yes.
7096. When you came back from your Greenland voyage, in what way did you settle?-Those who lived at a distance would get £2 or £3 if the voyage had been good, and they had money to get; and then they would go home and come back at Martinmas to settle with the agent. There was an account kept against them in the book which they had to settle at that time.
7097. What quantity of goods did you generally have in your account with the agent at Lerwick?-The greatest part of them were sea-going clothes.
7098. You did not generally get supplies from him for your families?-No; not very often.