PUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 197 



Q. Did you, though ? — A. I did not count the money out. I did not 



expect 



By Mr Macdonald : 



Q. Was there any q uestion raised about the payment for the stove !— 

 A. No, sir. 



Q. Were they certain of getting their pay if they sokl that stove to 

 you on credit"?— A. Yes, sir. 



Q. What security wouhl they have?— A. Why, the drafts sent to 

 them at San Francisco. I could not get it until my account was set- 

 tled with tbe company. 



Q. They had a lien on that, then ? — A. Yes, sir. 



The Chairman. Does the Government give a draft on the company 

 or to the company ? 



The Witness. They send the Treasury draft to the company. 



Mr. Macdonald. But it was payable to your order ; they could not 

 get the money on it"? 



The Witness. They presented the account when they presented the 

 draft. 



By Felton : 



Q. Did they keep stoves for sale ? — A. Yes, sir, 



Q. How many had they when they refused you? — A. I do not know 

 but I saw one, a range, down in the magazine. 1 saw it with my own 

 eyes. 



Q. Did you see more than one? — A. No sir; but they certainly had 

 one there. 



Q. I suppose the draft is sent to you in care of the company, but 

 they have no control over the drafts. They are sent through the com- 

 pany as a matter of convenience. Is that the idea ? — A. No, sir : the 

 Alaska Commercial Company gets my draft before 1 get it 



Q. For the purpose of sending it to you ? — A. I do not understand it 

 so. 



Q. Is it not sent that way because it is the most convenient and 

 quickest way for you to get it ? You have no mail, have you ?— A. No, 

 sir. 



Q. Now I will ask you one question. Does the Government give the 

 Alaska Commercial Company the authority to pay the Government 

 debts ? Does it give the Alaska Comi)any a lien on your pay or any 

 control over it whatsoever? — A. Not that I know of. 



Cross-examination by Mr. Jeffries: 



Q. You have never been on St. Paul Island ?— A. No, sir ; but I have 

 been at anchor there. 



Q. During all these months you have spoken of, you were on St. 

 George Island ? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. The old bull seals stay on the rookeries ? — A. Yes. sir. 



Q. And the young bachelor seals, they remain down on the banks in 

 and about the water ? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. And the female seals, alter they have delivered their young, which 

 are delivered after they land on the rocks, say within a few days ? — A. 

 Yes, sir. 



Q. Now, in a short time they begin to go into the water to search for 

 food, going out and returning again ^ — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. Do you know where they go? — A. To the feeding ground, towards 

 Ooualaska. 



