810. Does the same man keep an account at both shops?-The same company keeps a store at Scalloway and a store at Lerwick. 811. But has the same man a book in both shops?-Yes; he has a book in both shops. 812. The men deal at both?-Some men in the islands deal at both, and others, again, have liberty to deal only at one. 813. Then, at the settlement time, you settle for all the provisions you have got from the shops, and for the rent that is due for your farm, and they set against that the price of the fish you have delivered?-Yes. 814. And you say that generally the account against you is as large, or larger, than that in your favour?-Taking it generally amongst the tenants on the island, I believe it is. 815. Do you get money advanced to you in the course of the season when you ask for it?-Yes, I have always, or generally, got it when I asked for it. 816. Suppose that at the close of the fishing season-that is, in September-you were to ask for all the money that was due for your fish, or for a sum about equal to the value of your fish, would you get it?-I don't expect I would get it. 817. Have you ever asked for it?-Yes. 818. In September, or about that time?-I asked it on 1st November, thirteen years ago. 819. That is a long time ago?-That was the first year I was resident in Burra; I had been there for a twelvemonth then. 820. What did you ask for, then?-I asked for the value of the fish that belonged to a fee'd man who had been along with me for three months in autumn. I fee'd a young man for these months to go along with me to the summer fishing at that time; he was to get one-third of the fish, and I was to supply him with boat, lines, and lodging. At the end of autumn he went home, and he wanted me to introduce him to Messrs. Hay's agent, so that he might get his money. [Page 17] 821. Did he want to leave the island?-He did not belong to the island; and as he was going home, he wanted to be paid, and he asked me to introduce to the agent, which I did. 822. Did you apply for his money?-Yes, as being a stranger I wanted them to settle with him; but they would not settle with him at all, I then asked for an advance of 20s. on my own account, and I would give it to him for his trouble; but they would not give that either. 823. At that time had you and he a large contra account against you in the shop?-Neither of us had any account against us at all. He told me that at the time he had not a penny taken out from either of their stores. 824. Was he offered goods at that time?-Yes; in my hearing. 825. What was said about that?-He was told to take anything he wanted out of the store. 826. Where was that?-At Scalloway, I expect, or Lerwick. 827. Can you tell me of anything of the same kind happening within the last two or three years?-I don't recollect anything of the kind happening within that time, so far as I was personally concerned.