Exhibit 9

                                CUSTODY AGREEMENT

      Agreement made as of this 11th day of November,  1991,  between  MUNIYIELD
FUND, INC., a Massachusetts business trust organized and existing under the laws
of the Commonwealth of  Massachusetts,  having its principal office and place of
business at 800 Scudders Mill Road,  Plainsboro,  New Jersey 08536  (hereinafter
called the "Fund"), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York corporation  authorized
to do a banking  business,  having its principal office and place of business at
48 Wall Street, New York, New York 10286 (hereinafter called the "Custodian").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

that for and in consideration of the mutual promises  hereinafter set forth, the
Fund and the Custodian agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

      Whenever used in this Agreement,  the following words and phrases,  unless
the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:

      1. "Authorized  Person" shall be deemed to include any person,  whether or
not such  person is an Officer  or employ of the Fund,  duly  authorized  by the
Board of Trustees of the Fund to give Oral Instructions and Written Instructions
on behalf of the Fund and listed in the Certificate annexed hereto as Appendix A
or such other Certificate as may be received by the Custodian from time to time.

      2. "Book-Entry System" shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury  book-entry
system for  United  States and  federal  agency  securities,  its  successor  or
successors and its nominee or nominees.

      3. "Call  Option"  shall mean an exchange  traded  option with  respect to
Securities  other than Stock  Index  Options,  Futures  Contracts,  and  Futures
Contract Options  entitling the holder,  upon timely exercise and payment of the
exercise  price, as specified  therein,  to purchase from the writer thereof the
specified underlying Securities.

      4. "Certificate" shall mean any notice,  instruction,  or other instrument
in  writing,  authorized  or  required  by this  Agreement  to be  given  to the
Custodian  which is actually  received by the  Custodian and signed on behalf of
the Fund by any two Officers.

      5.  "Clearing  Member"  shall mean a registered  broker-dealer  which is a
clearing member under the rules of O.C.C. and a member of a national  securities
exchange  qualified  to act as a custodian  for an  investment  company,  or any
broker-dealer reasonably believed by the Custodian to be such a clearing member.

      6.  "Collateral  Account"  shall mean a segregated  account so denominated
which is  specifically  allocated  to a Series and pledged to the  Custodian  as
security for, and in consideration  of, the Custodian's  issuance of (a) any Put
Option guarantee letter or similar


document  described  in  paragraph  8 of  Article V herein,  or (b) any  receipt
described in Article V or VIII herein.

      7. "Covered Call Option"  shall mean an exchange  traded option  entitling
the holder, upon timely exercise and payment of the exercise price, as specified
therein, to purchase from the writer thereof the specified underlying Securities
(excluding  Futures Contracts) which are owned by the writer thereof and subject
to appropriate restrictions.

      8.  "Depository"  shall  mean The  Depository  Trust  Company  ("DTC"),  a
clearing  agency  registered  with the Securities and Exchange  Commission,  its
successor or successors and its nominee or nominees. The term "Depository" shall
further  mean and include any other  person  authorized  to act as a  depository
under the  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  its successor or successors and its
nominee or nominees, specifically identified in a certified copy of a resolution
of the Fund's Board of Trustees  specifically  approving deposits therein by the
Custodian.

      9. "Financial  Futures  Contract" shall mean the firm commitment to buy or
sell fixed income securities including, without limitation, U.S. Treasury Bills,
U.S. Treasury Notes, U.S. Treasury Bonds, domestic bank certificates of deposit,
and Eurodollar  certificates  of deposit,  during a specified month at an agreed
upon price.

      10.  "Futures  Contract"  shall mean a Financial  Futures  Contract and/or
Stock Index Futures Contracts.

      11.  "Futures  Contract  Option"  shall mean an option  with  respect to a
Futures Contract.

      12.  "Margin  Account"  shall mean a  segregated  account in the name of a
broker,  dealer,  futures commission  merchant,  or a Clearing Member, or in the
name of the  Fund  for the  benefit  of a  broker,  dealer,  futures  commission
merchant,  or Clearing  Member,  or otherwise,  in accordance  with an agreement
between  the Fund,  the  Custodian  and a  broker,  dealer,  futures  commission
merchant  or a Clearing  Member (a "Margin  Account  Agreement"),  separate  and
distinct from the custody account,  in which certain  Securities and/or money of
the Fund shall be deposited and withdrawn  from time to time in connection  with
such  transactions as the Fund may from time to time determine.  Securities held
in the  Book-Entry  System  or the  Depository  shall  be  deemed  to have  been
deposited in, or withdrawn from, a Margin Account upon the Custodian's effecting
an appropriate entry in its books and records.

      13.  "Money  Market   Security"  shall  be  deemed  to  include,   without
limitation,  certain Reverse Repurchase  Agreements,  debt obligations issued or
guaranteed as to interest and  principal by the  government of the United States
or agencies or instrumentalities  thereof, any tax, bond or revenue anticipation
note issued by any state or municipal government or public authority, commercial
paper,  certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances,  repurchase agreements
with respect to the same and bank time deposits,  where the purchase and sale of
such securities normally requires settlement in federal funds on the same day as
such purchase or sale.

      14.  "O.C.C."  shall mean the  Options  Clearing  Corporation,  a clearing
agency registered under Section 17A of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, its
successor or successors, and its nominee or nominees.


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      15.  "Officers"  shall  be  deemed  to  include  the  President,  any Vice
President,  the  Secretary,  the  Clerk,  the  Treasurer,  the  Controller,  any
Assistant Secretary, any Assistant Clerk, any Assistant Treasurer, and any other
person or  persons,  whether or not any such  other  person is an officer of the
Fund,  duly  authorized  by the Board of  Trustees  of the Fund to  execute  any
Certificate,  instruction,  notice or other instrument on behalf of the Fund and
listed in the Certificate annexed hereto as Appendix B or such other Certificate
as may be received by the Custodian from time to time.

      16.  "Option" shall mean a Call Option,  Covered Call Option,  Stock Index
Option and/or a Put Option.

      17. "Oral Instructions"  shall mean verbal instructions  actually received
by the Custodian from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably  believed
by the Custodian to be an Authorized Person.

      18. "Put  Option"  shall mean an exchange  traded  option with  respect to
Securities  other than Stock  Index  Options,  Futures  Contracts,  and  Futures
Contract  options  entitling the holder,  upon timely exercise and tender of the
specified underlying  Securities,  to sell such Securities to the writer thereof
for the exercise price.

      19. "Reverse  Repurchase  Agreement"  shall mean an agreement  pursuant to
which the Fund sells  Securities and agrees to repurchase  such  Securities at a
described or specified date and price.

      20.  "Security"  shall be deemed to  include,  without  limitation,  Money
Market Securities,  Call Options, Put Options,  Stock Index Options, Stock Index
Futures  Contracts,  Stock Index Futures  Contract  Options,  Financial  Futures
Contracts,  Financial Futures Contract Options,  Reverse Repurchase  Agreements,
common  stocks and other  securities  having  characteristics  similar to common
stocks,  preferred  stocks,  debt  obligations  issued  by  state  or  municipal
governments and by public authorities,  (including,  without limitation, general
obligation  bonds,  revenue bonds,  industrial bonds and industrial  development
bonds),  bonds,  debentures,  notes,  mortgages  or other  obligations,  and any
certificates,  receipts,  warrants or other instruments  representing  rights to
receive, purchase, sell or subscribe for the same, or evidencing or representing
any other rights or interest therein, or any property or assets.

      21.  "Senior  Security  Account"  shall  mean an  account  maintained  and
specifically  allocated  to a Series  under  the  terms of this  Agreement  as a
segregated account,  by recordation or otherwise,  within the custody account in
which certain Securities and/or other assets of the Fund specifically  allocated
to such Series shall be deposited and withdrawn  from time to time in accordance
with Certificates received by the Custodian in connection with such transactions
as the Fund may from time to time determine.

      22.  "Series"  shall mean the various  portfolios,  if any, of the Fund as
described  from time to time in the current  and  effective  prospectus  for the
Fund.

      23.  "Shares"  shall mean the shares of  beneficial  interest of the Fund,
each of which is, in the case of a Fund having Series, allocated to a particular
Series.

      24.  "Stock  Index  Futures  Contract"  shall mean a  bilateral  agreement
pursuant  to which the  parties  agree to take or make  delivery of an amount of
cash equal to a specified dollar


                                       3


amount times the difference between the value of a particular stock index at the
close  of the last  business  day of the  contract  and the  price at which  the
futures contract is originally struck.

      25. "Stock Index Option"  shall mean an exchange  traded option  entitling
the holder,  upon timely  exercise,  to receive an amount of cash  determined by
reference  to the  difference  between the  exercise  price and the value of the
index on the date of exercise.

      26.  "Written  Instructions"  shall mean written  communications  actually
received by the Custodian from an Authorized  Person or from a person reasonably
believed by the Custodian to be an Authorized  Person by telex or any other such
system whereby the receiver of such communications is able to verify by codes or
otherwise  with a reasonable  degree of certainty  the identity of the sender of
such communication.

                                   ARTICLE II

                            APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN

      1. The Fund hereby  constitutes and appoints the Custodian as custodian of
the  Securities  and moneys at any time  owned by the Fund  during the period of
this Agreement.

      2. The Custodian  hereby accepts  appointment as such custodian and agrees
to perform the duties thereof as hereinafter set forth.

                                  ARTICLE III

                         CUSTODY OF CASH AND SECURITIES

      1.  Except as  otherwise  provided in  paragraph 7 of this  Article and in
Article  VIII,  the Fund will deliver or cause to be delivered to the  Custodian
all Securities and all moneys owned by it, at any time during the period of this
Agreement,  and shall  specify  with  respect to such  Securities  and money the
Series  to which  the same  are  specifically  allocated.  The  Custodian  shall
segregate,  keep and maintain the assets of the Series  separate and apart.  The
Custodian  will not be  responsible  for any  Securities and moneys not actually
received by it. The  Custodian  will be entitled to reverse any credits  made on
the Funds behalf where such credits have been previously made and moneys are not
finally  collected.  The  Fund  shall  deliver  to  the  Custodian  a  certified
resolution  of the Board of Trustees of the Fund,  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit A hereto,  approving,  authorizing  and  instructing  the Custodian on a
continuous and on-going basis to deposit in the Book-Entry System all Securities
eligible  for deposit  therein,  regardless  of the Series to which the same are
specifically  allocated  and to  utilize  the  Book-Entry  System to the  extent
possible  in  connection  with its  performance  hereunder,  including,  without
limitation, in connection with settlements of purchases and sales of Securities,
loans of Securities and deliveries and returns of Securities  collateral.  Prior
to a deposit of Securities specifically allocated to a Series in the Depository,
the Fund shall deliver to the  Custodian a certified  resolution of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto,  approving,
authorizing  and  instructing  the  Custodian on a continuous  and ongoing basis
until  instructed  to the  contrary by a  Certificate  actually  received by the
Custodian to deposit in the Depository all Securities  specifically allocated to
such Series eligible for deposit  therein,  and to utilize the Depository to the
extent  possible  with  respect  to  such  Securities  in  connection  with  its
performance  hereunder,   including,  without  limitation,  in  connection  with
settlements of


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purchases and sales of  Securities,  loans of  Securities,  and  deliveries  and
returns of Securities collateral.  Securities and moneys deposited in either the
Book-Entry  System or the  Depository  will be  represented  in  accounts  which
include only assets held by the  Custodian  for  customers,  including,  but not
limited  to,   accounts  in  which  the   Custodian   acts  in  a  fiduciary  or
representative  capacity and will be  specifically  allocated on the Custodian's
books  to  the  separate  account  for  the  applicable  Series.  Prior  to  the
Custodian's  accepting,  utilizing  and acting with  respect to Clearing  Member
confirmations  for Options and  transactions in options for a Series as provided
in this Agreement,  the Custodian shall have received a certified  resolution of
the Fund's  Board of  Trustees,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit C hereto,
approving,  authorizing  and  instructing  the  Custodian  on a  continuous  and
on-going  basis,  until  instructed  to the contrary by a  Certificate  actually
received by the Custodian,  to accept,  utilize and act in accordance  with such
confirmations as provided in this Agreement with respect to such Series.

      2. The Custodian shall establish and maintain  separate  accounts,  in the
name of each Series,  and shall  credit to the separate  account for each Series
all  moneys  received  by it for the  account  of the Fund with  respect to such
Series.  Money credited to a separate account for a Series shall be disbursed by
the Custodian only:

            (a) As hereinafter provided;

            (b) Pursuant to  Certificates  setting forth the name and address of
the person to whom the  payment is to be made,  the  Series  account  from which
payment is to be made and the purpose for which payment is to be made; or

            (c) In payment of the fees and in  reimbursement of the expenses and
liabilities of the Custodian attributable to such Series.

      3. Promptly  after the close of business on each day, the Custodian  shall
furnish the Fund with confirmations and a summary, on a per Series basis, of all
transfers to or from the account of the Fund for a Series,  either  hereunder or
with any  co-custodian  or  sub-custodian  appointed  in  accordance  with  this
Agreement  during said day. Where  Securities are  transferred to the account of
the Fund for a Series,  the  Custodian  shall also by  book-entry  or  otherwise
identify as belonging to such Series a quantity of Securities in a fungible bulk
of Securities  registered in the name of the Custodian (or its nominee) or shown
on  the  Custodian's  account  on the  books  of the  Book-Entry  System  or the
Depository.  At least monthly and from time to time, the Custodian shall furnish
the Fund with a detailed statement, on a per series basis, of the Securities and
moneys held by the Custodian for the Fund.

      4.  Except as  otherwise  provided in  paragraph 7 of this  Article and in
Article VIII, all Securities held by the Custodian  hereunder,  which are issued
or  issuable  only in bearer  form,  except such  Securities  as are held in the
Book-Entry  System,  shall be held by the  Custodian  in that  form;  all  other
Securities held hereunder may be registered in the name of the Fund, in the name
of any duly appointed  registered  nominee of the Custodian as the Custodian may
from  time to time  determine,  or in the name of the  Book-Entry  System or the
Depository or their successor or successors,  or their nominee or nominees.  The
Fund agrees to furnish to the Custodian  appropriate  instruments  to enable the
Custodian to hold or deliver in proper form for transfer,  or to register in the
name of its registered  nominee or in the name of the  Book-Entry  System or the
Depository any Securities which it may hold hereunder and which may from time to
time be  registered in the name of the Fund.  The Custodian  shall hold all such
Securities  specifically


                                       5


allocated  to a Series  which  are not held in the  Book-Entry  System or in the
Depository  in a  separate  account  in  the  name  of  such  Series  physically
segregated at all times from those of any other person or persons.

      5. Except as otherwise  provided in this  Agreement  and unless  otherwise
instructed to the contrary by a Certificate, the Custodian by itself, or through
the use of the Book-Entry  System or the  Depository  with respect to Securities
held hereunder and therein deposited,  shall with respect to all Securities held
for the Fund hereunder in accordance with preceding paragraph 4:

            (a) Collect all income due or payable;

            (b) Present for  payment  and collect the amount  payable  upon such
Securities  which are called,  but only if either (i) the  Custodian  receives a
written  notice of such call, or (ii) notice of such call appears in one or more
of the publications listed in Appendix C annexed hereto, which may be amended at
any time by the Custodian without the prior notification or consent of the Fund;

            (c) Present for  payment  and  collect the amount  payable  upon all
Securities which mature;

            (d)   Surrender   Securities  in  temporary   form  for   definitive
Securities;

            (e)  Execute,   as   custodian,   any  necessary   declarations   or
certificates  of  ownership  under the  Federal  Income  Tax Laws or the laws or
regulations of any other taxing authority now or hereafter in effect; and

            (f)  Hold  directly,   or  through  the  Book-Entry  System  or  the
Depository with respect to Securities  therein  deposited,  for the account of a
Series,  all rights and similar securities issued with respect to any Securities
held by the Custodian for such Series hereunder.

      6.  Upon  receipt  of a  Certificate  and not  otherwise,  the  Custodian,
directly or through the use of the Book-Entry System or the Depository, shall:

            (a) Execute and deliver to such persons as may be designated in such
Certificate proxies, consents, authorizations, and any other instruments whereby
the  authority  of the  Fund as owner of any  Securities  held by the  Custodian
hereunder for the Series specified in such Certificate may be exercised;

            (b) Deliver any Securities  held by the Custodian  hereunder for the
Series  specified in such  Certificate in exchange for other  Securities or cash
issued or paid in connection with the liquidation, reorganization,  refinancing,
merger, consolidation or recapitalization of any corporation, or the exercise of
any conversion privilege and receive and hold hereunder  specifically  allocated
to such Series any cash or other Securities received in exchange;

            (c) Deliver any Securities  held by the Custodian  hereunder for the
Series specified in such Certificate to any protective committee, reorganization
committee or other person in connection  with the  reorganization,  refinancing,
merger,  consolidation,  recapitalization  or sale of assets of any corporation,
and  receive  and hold  hereunder  specifically  allocated  to such


                                       6


Series such  certificates of deposit,  interim receipts or other  instruments or
documents as may be issued to it to evidence such delivery;

            (d) Make such  transfers  or  exchanges  of the assets of the Series
specified in such  Certificate,  and take such other steps as shall be stated in
such  Certificate to be for the purpose of effectuating any duly authorized plan
of liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of the
Fund; and

            (e)  Present  for  payment  and  collect  the  amount  payable  upon
Securities  not described in preceding  paragraph 5(b) of this Article which may
be called as specified in the Certificate.

      7. Notwithstanding any provision elsewhere contained herein, the Custodian
shall not be required to obtain  possession  of any  instrument  or  certificate
representing any Futures  Contract,  any Option,  or any Futures Contract Option
until after it shall have determined,  or shall have received a Certificate from
the Fund stating,  that any such instruments or certificates are available.  The
Fund  shall  deliver  to the  Custodian  such a  Certificate  no later  than the
business day preceding the  availability  of any such instrument or certificate.
Prior to such availability, the Custodian shall comply with Section 17(f) of the
Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended,  in  connection  with the purchase,
sale,  settlement,  closing  out or writing of Futures  Contracts,  Options,  or
Futures  Contract  Options  by  making  payments  or  deliveries   specified  in
Certificates  received by the  Custodian in connection  with any such  purchase,
sale, writing, settlement or closing out upon its receipt from a broker, dealer,
or  futures  commission  merchant  of a  statement  or  confirmation  reasonably
believed  by the  Custodian  to be in the  form  customarily  used  by  brokers,
dealers, or future commission  merchants with respect to such Futures Contracts,
Options,  or Futures Contract Options,  as the case may be, confirming that such
Security  is held by such  broker,  dealer or futures  commission  merchant,  in
book-entry  form or  otherwise,  in the name of the Custodian (or any nominee of
the   Custodian)   as  custodian   for  the  Fund,   provided,   however,   that
notwithstanding the foregoing, payments to or deliveries from the Margin Account
and payments with respect to Securities to which a Margin Account relates, shall
be made in  accordance  with the  terms and  conditions  of the  Margin  Account
Agreement.  Whenever any such  instruments or  certificates  are available,  the
Custodian  shall,  notwithstanding  any  provision  in  this  Agreement  to  the
contrary,  make payment for any Futures  Contract,  Option,  or Futures Contract
Option  for which such  instruments  or such  certificates  are  available  only
against the delivery to the Custodian of such  instrument  or such  certificate,
and deliver any Futures  Contract,  Option or Futures  Contract Option for which
such instruments or such  certificates are available only against receipt by the
Custodian of payment therefor.  Any such instrument or certificate  delivered to
the Custodian shall be held by the Custodian  hereunder in accordance  with, and
subject to, the provisions of this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                  PURCHASE AND SALE OF INVESTMENTS OF THE FUND
                    OTHER THAN OPTIONS, FUTURES CONTRACTS AND
                            FUTURES CONTRACT OPTIONS

      1. Promptly  after each  purchase of Securities by the Fund,  other than a
purchase of an Option, a Futures  Contract,  or a Futures  Contract Option,  the
Fund shall  deliver  to the  Custodian  (i) with  respect  to each  purchase  of
Securities which are not Money Market Securities,  a Certificate,  and (ii) with
respect  to each  purchase  of Money  Market  Securities,


                                       7


a  Certificate,  Oral  Instructions  or Written  Instructions,  specifying  with
respect to each such purchase: (a) the Series to which such Securities are to be
specifically  allocated;  (b)  the  name of the  issuer  and  the  title  of the
Securities;  (c) the  number of shares or the  principal  amount  purchased  and
accrued  interest,  if any;  (d) the date of purchase  and  settlement;  (e) the
purchase price per unit;  (f) the total amount  payable upon such purchase;  (g)
the name of the person from whom or the broker  through  whom the  purchase  was
made,  and the  name of the  clearing  broker,  if any;  and (h) the name of the
broker to whom  payment is to be made.  The  Custodian  shall,  upon  receipt of
Securities  purchased  by or for the Fund,  pay to the broker  specified  in the
Certificate  out of the moneys  held for the  account  of such  Series the total
amount payable upon such purchase,  provided that the same conforms to the total
amount payable as set forth in such  Certificate,  Oral  Instructions or Written
Instructions.

      2. Promptly  after each sale of Securities by the Fund,  other than a sale
of any  Option,  Futures  Contract,  Futures  Contract  Option,  or any  Reverse
Repurchase  Agreement,  the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect
to each sale of Securities which are not Money Market Securities, a Certificate,
and (ii) with respect to each sale of Money Market  Securities,  a  Certificate,
Oral Instructions or Written Instructions,  specifying with respect to each such
sale: (a) the Series to which such Securities were specifically  allocated;  (b)
the name of the issuer and the title of the  Security;  (c) the number of shares
or principal  amount sold, and accrued  interest,  if any; (d) the date of sale;
(e) the sale price per unit;  (f) the total amount payable to the Fund upon such
sale; (g) the name of the broker through whom or the person to whom the sale was
made,  and the  name of the  clearing  broker,  if any;  and (h) the name of the
broker to whom the Securities are to be delivered.  The Custodian  shall deliver
the Securities  specifically allocated to such Series to the broker specified in
the Certificate  against payment upon receipt of the total amount payable to the
Fund upon such sale, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable
as set forth in such Certificate, Oral Instructions or Written Instructions.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                     OPTIONS

      1. Promptly  after the purchase of any Option by the Fund,  the Fund shall
deliver to the  Custodian a Certificate  specifying  with respect to each Option
purchased:  (a) the Series to which such Option is specifically  allocated;  (b)
the type of Option  (put or call);  (c) the name of the issuer and the title and
number of shares subject to such Option or, in the case of a Stock Index Option,
the stock  index to which such  Option  relates  and the  number of Stock  Index
Options  purchased;  (d) the expiration  date; (e) the exercise  price;  (f) the
dates of purchase and  settlement;  (g) the total amount  payable by the Fund in
connection with such purchase;  (h) the name of the Clearing Member through whom
such Option was purchased;  and (i) the name of the broker to whom payment is to
be made. The Custodian shall pay, upon receipt of a Clearing Member's  statement
confirming  the  purchase of such Option  held by such  Clearing  Member for the
account of the Custodian (or any duly  appointed and  registered  nominee of the
Custodian) as custodian for the Fund,  out of moneys held for the account of the
Series to which such Option is to be  specifically  allocated,  the total amount
payable upon such purchase to the Clearing  Member through whom the purchase was
made,  provided that the same conforms to the total amount  payable as set forth
in such Certificate.


                                       8


      2. Promptly after the sale of any Option purchased by the Fund pursuant to
paragraph  1 hereof,  the Fund shall  deliver  to the  Custodian  a  Certificate
specifying  with respect to each such sale:  (a) the Series to which such Option
was specifically  allocated;  (b) the type of Option (put or call); (c) the name
of the issuer and the title and number of shares  subject to such  Option or, in
the case of a Stock Index Option,  the stock index to which such Option  relates
and the number of Stock Index Options sold;  (d) the date of sale;  (e) the sale
price; (f) the date of settlement; (g) the total amount payable to the Fund upon
such sale;  and (h) the name of the  Clearing  Member  through whom the sale was
made.  The  Custodian  shall  consent to the  delivery of the option sold by the
Clearing  Member  which  previously  supplied  the  confirmation   described  in
preceding  paragraph  1 of this  Article  with  respect to such  option  against
payment to the Custodian of the total amount payable to the Fund,  provided that
the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such Certificate.

      3. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Call Option purchased by
the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian
a  Certificate  specifying  with respect to such Call Option:  (a) the Series to
which such Call Option was  specifically  allocated;  (b) the name of the issuer
and the  title  and  number  of  shares  subject  to the  Call  Option;  (c) the
expiration date; (d) the date of exercise and settlement; (e) the exercise price
per share;  (f) the total amount to be paid by the Fund upon such exercise;  and
(g) the name of the Clearing Member through whom such Call Option was exercised.
The Custodian shall,  upon receipt of the Securities  underlying the Call Option
which was exercised, pay out of the moneys held for the account of the Series to
which such Call Option was  specifically  allocated the total amount  payable to
the Clearing  Member through whom the Call Option was  exercised,  provided that
the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in such Certificate.

      4. Promptly after the exercise by the Fund of any Put Option  purchased by
the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall deliver to the Custodian
a  Certificate  specifying  with  respect to such Put Option:  (a) the Series to
which such Put Option was specifically allocated; (b) the name of the issuer and
the title and number of shares  subject to the Put  Option;  (c) the  expiration
date; (d) the date of exercise and settlement; (e) the exercise price per share;
(f) the total amount to be paid to the Fund upon such exercise; and (g) the name
of the Clearing Member through whom such Put Option was exercised. The Custodian
shall,  upon receipt of the amount  payable upon the exercise of the Put Option,
deliver  or  direct  the  Depository  to  deliver  the  Securities  specifically
allocated to such Series,  provided the same  conforms to the amount  payable to
the Fund as set forth in such Certificate.

      5.  Promptly  after the  exercise  by the Fund of any Stock  Index  Option
purchased by the Fund pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof,  the Fund shall deliver to
the Custodian a Certificate  specifying with respect to such Stock Index Option:
(a) the Series to which such Stock Index Option was specifically allocated;  (b)
the type of Stock Index  Option (put or call);  (c) the number of Options  being
exercised;  (d) the stock index to which such Option relates; (e) the expiration
date; (f) the exercise price; (g) the total amount to be received by the Fund in
connection  with  such  exercise;  and (h) the  Clearing  Member  from whom such
payment is to be received.

      6. Whenever the Fund writes a Covered Call Option, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate  specifying  with respect to such Covered
Call Option: (a) the Series for which such Covered Call Option was written;  (b)
the name of the issuer and the title and number of shares for which the  Covered
Call Option was written and which underlie the same;  (c) the  expiration  date;
(d) the exercise price; (e) the premium to be received by the Fund; (f) the


                                       9


date such  Covered  Call Option was  written;  and (g) the name of the  Clearing
Member through whom the premium is to be received.  The Custodian  shall deliver
or cause to be  delivered,  in exchange for receipt of the premium  specified in
the Certificate  with respect to such Covered Call Option,  such receipts as are
required  in  accordance  with the customs  prevailing  among  Clearing  Members
dealing in Covered Call options and shall  impose,  or direct the  Depository to
impose, upon the underlying Securities specified in the Certificate specifically
allocated to such Series such  restrictions as may be required by such receipts.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Custodian has the right, upon prior written
notification  to the  Fund,  at any time to refuse  to issue  any  receipts  for
Securities  in the  possession  of the  Custodian  and not  deposited  with  the
Depository underlying a Covered Call Option.

      7. Whenever a Covered Call Option written by the Fund and described in the
preceding  paragraph  of this  Article is  exercised,  the Fund  shall  promptly
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate  instructing the Custodian to deliver, or
to direct the Depository to deliver, the Securities subject to such Covered Call
Option and  specifying:  (a) the Series for which such  Covered  Call Option was
written;  (b) the name of the issuer and the title and number of shares  subject
to the Covered  Call  Option;  (c) the  Clearing  Member to whom the  underlying
Securities  are to be  delivered;  and (d) the total amount  payable to the Fund
upon  such  delivery.  Upon  the  return  and/or  cancellation  of any  receipts
delivered pursuant to paragraph 6 of this Article,  the Custodian shall deliver,
or direct the Depository to deliver,  the underlying  Securities as specified in
the  Certificate  against  payment of the amount to be  received as set forth in
such Certificate.

      8. Whenever the Fund writes a Put Option,  the Fund shall promptly deliver
to the Custodian a Certificate  specifying with respect to such Put Option:  (a)
the Series for which such Put Option was written; (b) the name of the issuer and
the title and number of shares  for which the Put  Option is  written  and which
underlie the same; (c) the  expiration  date;  (d) the exercise  price;  (e) the
premium to be received by the Fund; (f) the date such Put Option is written; (g)
the name of the Clearing  Member  through whom the premium is to be received and
to whom a Put  Option  guarantee  letter is to be  delivered;  (h) the amount of
cash, and/or the amount and kind of Securities,  if any, specifically  allocated
to such Series to be deposited in the Senior  Security  Account for such Series;
and (i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities specifically
allocated to such Series to be deposited  into the  Collateral  Account for such
Series.  The  Custodian  shall,  after making the deposits  into the  Collateral
Account  specified  in the  Certificate,  issue a Put  Option  guarantee  letter
substantially  in the form  utilized by the  Custodian on the date  hereof,  and
deliver the same to the Clearing  Member  specified in the  Certificate  against
receipt  of the  premium  specified  in said  Certificate.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  the  Custodian  shall be under no obligation to issue any Put Option
guarantee  letter  or  similar  document  if it is  unable  to  make  any of the
representations contained therein.

      9.  Whenever  a Put  Option  written  by the  Fund  and  described  in the
preceding  paragraph  is  exercised,  the Fund  shall  promptly  deliver  to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying:  (a) the Series to which such Put Option was
written;  (b) the name of the issuer  and title and number of shares  subject to
the Put Option; (c) the Clearing Member from whom the underlying  Securities are
to be received; (d) the total amount payable by the Fund upon such delivery; (e)
the  amount  of cash  and/or  the  amount  and kind of  Securities  specifically
allocated to such Series to be withdrawn  from the  Collateral  Account for such
Series  and (f) the amount of cash  and/or  the  amount and kind of  Securities,
specifically  allocated to such Series,  if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior
Security  Account.  Upon  the  return  and/or  cancellation  of any  Put  Option
guarantee  letter or similar document issued by the Custodian in connection with
such Put


                                       10


Option,  the  Custodian  shall pay out of the moneys held for the account of the
Series to which such Put  Option was  specifically  allocated  the total  amount
payable to the Clearing Member specified in the Certificate as set forth in such
Certificate against delivery of such Securities,  and shall make the withdrawals
specified in such Certificate.

      10. Whenever the Fund writes a Stock Index Option, the Fund shall promptly
deliver to the  Custodian a  Certificate  specifying  with respect to such Stock
Index Option: (a) the Series for which such Stock Index Option was written;  (b)
whether  such Stock Index  Option is a put or a call;  (c) the number of Options
written;  (d) the stock index to which such Option  relates;  (e) the expiration
date; (f) the exercise  price;  (g) the Clearing Member through whom such Option
was written;  (h) the premium to be received by the Fund; (i) the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, specifically allocated to such
Series to be deposited in the Senior Security  Account for such Series;  (j) the
amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of  Securities,  if any,  specifically
allocated  to such Series to be  deposited  in the  Collateral  Account for such
Series; and (k) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities,  if
any, specifically  allocated to such Series to be deposited in a Margin Account,
and the  name in  which  such  account  is to be or has  been  established.  The
Custodian shall, upon receipt of the premium specified in the Certificate,  make
the  deposits,  if any,  into  the  Senior  Security  Account  specified  in the
Certificate,  and either (1) deliver such receipts,  if any, which the Custodian
has  specifically  agreed to issue,  which are in  accordance  with the  customs
prevailing  among Clearing  Members in Stock Index Options and make the deposits
into  the  Collateral  Account  specified  in the  Certificate,  or (2) make the
deposits into the Margin Account specified in the Certificate.

      11. Whenever a Stock Index Option written by the Fund and described in the
preceding  paragraph  of this  Article is  exercised,  the Fund  shall  promptly
deliver to the  Custodian a  Certificate  specifying  with respect to such Stock
Index Option: (a) the Series for which such Stock Index Option was written;  (b)
such  information  as may be  necessary to identify the Stock Index Option being
exercised; (c) the Clearing Member through whom such Stock Index Option is being
exercised;  (d) the total amount  payable upon such  exercise,  and whether such
amount is to be paid by or to the Fund; (e) the amount of cash and/or amount and
kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn from the Margin Account; and (f) the
amount of cash and/or  amount and kind of  Securities,  if any, to be  withdrawn
from the Senior Security Account for such Series;  and the amount of cash and/or
the amount and kind of  Securities,  if any, to be withdrawn from the Collateral
Account for such Series.  Upon the return and/or cancellation of the receipt, if
any,  delivered  pursuant  to the  preceding  paragraph  of  this  Article,  the
Custodian  shall pay out of the  moneys  held for the  account  of the Series to
which such Stock Index Option was specifically  allocated to the Clearing Member
specified  in the  Certificate  the total amount  payable,  if any, as specified
therein.

      12.  Whenever  the Fund  purchases  any option  identical  to a previously
written  Option  described  in  paragraphs,  6,  8 or 10 of  this  Article  in a
transaction expressly designated as a "Closing Purchase Transaction" in order to
liquidate its position as a writer of an Option, the Fund shall promptly deliver
to the  Custodian a  Certificate  specifying  with  respect to the Option  being
purchased:  (a) that the transaction is a Closing Purchase Transaction;  (b) the
Series  for which the  Option  was  written;  (c) the name of the issuer and the
title and  number of shares  subject to the  Option,  or, in the case of a Stock
Index  Option,  the stock index to which such  Option  relates and the number of
Options held;  (d) the exercise  price;  (e) the premium to be paid by the Fund;
(f) the expiration  date; (g) the type of Option (put or call);  (h) the date of
such purchase;  (i) the name of the Clearing Member to whom the premium is to be
paid;  and (j) the


                                       11


amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any, to be withdrawn
from the Collateral  Account, a specified Margin Account, or the Senior Security
Account for such  Series.  Upon the  Custodian's  payment of the premium and the
return and/or  cancellation of any receipt issued pursuant to paragraphs 6, 8 or
10 of this  Article  with  respect to the Option  being  liquidated  through the
Closing  Purchase  Transaction,  the  Custodian  shall  remove,  or  direct  the
Depository to remove,  the  previously  imposed  restrictions  on the Securities
underlying the Call Option.

      13. Upon the expiration,  exercise or  consummation of a Closing  Purchase
Transaction  with  respect  to any Option  purchased  or written by the Fund and
described  in this  Article,  the  Custodian  shall  delete such Option from the
statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 Article III herein, and
upon the return and/or  cancellation  of any receipts  issued by the  Custodian,
shall make such withdrawals from the Collateral Account,  and the Margin Account
and/or the Senior Security Account as may be specified in a Certificate received
in connection with such expiration, exercise, or consummation.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                FUTURES CONTRACTS

      1. Whenever the Fund shall enter into a Futures  Contract,  the Fund shall
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate  specifying  with respect to such Futures
Contract, (or with respect to any number of identical Futures Contract(s)):  (a)
the Series for which the Futures Contract is being entered;  (b) the category of
Futures   Contract  (the  name  of  the  underlying  stock  index  or  financial
instrument); (c) the number of identical Futures Contracts entered into; (d) the
delivery or settlement date of the Futures Contract(s); (e) the date the Futures
Contract(s)  was (were) entered into and the maturity date; (f) whether the Fund
is buying (going long) or selling (going short) on such Futures Contract(s); (g)
the  amount of cash  and/or the amount  and kind of  Securities,  if any,  to be
deposited in the Senior  Security  Account for such Series;  (h) the name of the
broker, dealer, or futures commission merchant through whom the Futures Contract
was entered into;  and (i) the amount of fee or  commission,  if any, to be paid
and the name of the broker,  dealer, or futures commission merchant to whom such
amount is to be paid.  The  Custodian  shall make the  deposits,  if any, to the
Margin Account in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account
Agreement.  The  Custodian  shall make  payment  out of the moneys  specifically
allocated  to such Series of the fee or  commission,  if any,  specified  in the
Certificate  and  deposit in the Senior  Security  Account  for such  Series the
amount of cash  and/or  the  amount  and kind of  Securities  specified  in said
Certificate.

      2. (a) Any variation margin payment or similar payment required to be made
by the Fund to a broker,  dealer, or futures commission merchant with respect to
an outstanding  Futures  Contract,  shall be made by the Custodian in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.

            (b) Any variation  margin payment or similar  payment from a broker,
dealer,  or  futures  commission  merchant  to  the  Fund  with  respect  to  an
outstanding Futures Contract,  shall be received and dealt with by the Custodian
in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.


                                       12


      3. Whenever a Futures Contract held by the Custodian hereunder is retained
by the Fund until delivery or settlement is made on such Futures  Contract,  the
Fund shall deliver to the Custodian a  Certificate  specifying:  (a) the Futures
Contract and the Series to which the same  relates;  (b) with respect to a Stock
Index Futures Contract, the total cash settlement amount to be paid or received,
and with respect to a Financial Futures  Contract,  the Securities and/or amount
of cash  to be  delivered  or  received;  (c) the  broker,  dealer,  or  futures
commission  merchant  to or  from  whom  payment  or  delivery  is to be made or
received;  and (d) the amount of cash and/or Securities to be withdrawn from the
Senior Security Account for such Series. The Custodian shall make the payment or
delivery specified in the Certificate, and delete such Futures Contract from the
statements delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article III herein.

      4.  Whenever  the Fund  shall  enter into a Futures  Contract  to offset a
Futures Contract held by the Custodian hereunder,  the Fund shall deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate  specifying:  (a) the items of information required in a
Certificate  described  in  paragraph  1 of this  Article,  and (b) the  Futures
Contract  being  offset.  The  Custodian  shall  make  payment  out of the money
specifically  allocated  to  such  Series  of the  fee or  commission,  if  any,
specified in the Certificate  and delete the Futures  Contract being offset from
the  statements  delivered  to the Fund  pursuant to  paragraph 3 of Article III
herein,  and make such  withdrawals  from the Senior  Security  Account for such
Series as may be specified in such Certificate.  The withdrawals,  if any, to be
made from the Margin  Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance  with
the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                            FUTURES C0NTRACT OPTIONS

      1. Promptly after the purchase of any Futures Contract Option by the Fund,
the Fund shall promptly  deliver to the Custodian a Certificate  specifying with
respect to such Futures Contract Option:  (a) the Series to which such Option is
specifically  allocated;  (b) the type of Futures Contract Option (put or call);
(c) the type of Futures Contract and such other  information as may be necessary
to  identify  the  Futures  Contract  underlying  the  Futures  Contract  option
purchased;  (d) the expiration  date; (e) the exercise  price;  (f) the dates of
purchase and  settlement;  (g) the amount of premium to be paid by the Fund upon
such purchase; (h) the name of the broker or futures commission merchant through
whom such  option  was  purchased;  and (i) the name of the  broker,  or futures
commission merchant,  to whom payment is to be made. The Custodian shall pay out
of the moneys specifically allocated to such Series, the total amount to be paid
upon such purchase to the broker or futures  commissions  merchant  through whom
the purchase was made,  provided  that the same conforms to the amount set forth
in such Certificate.

      2. Promptly after the sale of any Futures Contract Option purchased by the
Fund  pursuant to  paragraph 1 hereof,  the Fund shall  promptly  deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such sale: (a) Series to
which such Futures Contract Option was specifically  allocated;  (b) the type of
Futures Contract Option (put or call); (c) the type of Futures Contract and such
other  information  as  may  be  necessary  to  identify  the  Futures  Contract
underlying  the  Futures  Contract  Option;  (d) the date of sale;  (e) the sale
price; (f) the date of settlement; (g) the total amount payable to the Fund upon
such sale; and (h) the name of the broker or futures commission merchant through
whom the sale was made. The Custodian  shall consent to the  cancellation of the
Futures  Contract  Option being closed  against  payment to the


                                       13


Custodian of the total amount payable to the Fund, provided the same conforms to
the total amount payable as set forth in such Certificate.

      3. Whenever a Futures  Contract  option  purchased by the Fund pursuant to
paragraph 1 is exercised  by the Fund,  the Fund shall  promptly  deliver to the
Custodian  a  Certificate  specifying:  (a) the  Series  to which  such  Futures
Contract Option was specifically allocated;  (b) the particular Futures Contract
Option  (put or  call)  being  exercised;  (c)  the  type  of  Futures  Contract
underlying the Futures Contract Option;  (d) the date of exercise;  (e) the name
of the broker or futures  commission  merchant through whom the Futures Contract
Option is exercised;  (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the Fund; (g)
the  amount,  if any,  to be  received  by the Fund;  and (h) the amount of cash
and/or the amount and kind of Securities to be deposited in the Senior  Security
Account  for such  Series.  The  Custodian  shall  make,  out of the  moneys and
Securities  specifically allocated to such Series, the payments, if any, and the
deposits,  if  any,  into  the  Senior  Security  Account  as  specified  in the
Certificate.  The  deposits,  if any, to be made to the Margin  Account shall be
made by the Custodian in accordance  with the terms and conditions of the Margin
Account Agreement.

      4.  Whenever  the Fund writes a Futures  Contract  Option,  the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate  specifying with respect to such
Futures Contract  Option:  (a) the Series for which such Futures Contract Option
was written; (b) the type of Futures Contract Option (put or call); (c) the type
of Futures  Contract and such other  information as may be necessary to identify
the Futures Contract  underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the expiration
date;  (e) the exercise  price;  (f) the premium to be received by the Fund; (g)
the name of the broker or futures  commission  merchant through whom the premium
is to be  received;  and (h) the  amount of cash  and/or  the amount and kind of
Securities,  if any, to be  deposited  in the Senior  Security  Account for such
Series.  The  Custodian  shall,  upon  receipt of the premium  specified  in the
Certificate,  make out of the moneys and  Securities  specifically  allocated to
such Series the deposits into the Senior Security Account,  if any, as specified
in the Certificate. The deposits, if any, to be made to the Margin Account shall
be made by the  Custodian in  accordance  with the terms and  conditions  of the
Margin Account Agreement.

      5. Whenever a Futures  Contract Option written by the Fund which is a call
is  exercised,  the Fund shall  promptly  deliver to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying:   (a)  the  Series  to  which  such  Futures   Contract  option  was
specifically  allocated;  (b) the particular  Futures Contract option exercised;
(c) the type of Futures Contract underlying the Futures Contract Option; (d) the
name of the broker or futures  commission  merchant  through  whom such  Futures
Contract Option was exercised;  (e) the net total amount, if any, payable to the
Fund upon such exercise;  (f) the net total amount,  if any, payable by the Fund
upon such  exercise;  and (g) the  amount of cash  and/or the amount and kind of
Securities to be deposited in the Senior Security  Account for such Series.  The
Custodian  shall,  upon its receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund,
if any,  specified  in such  Certificate  make  the  payments,  if any,  and the
deposits,  if  any,  into  the  Senior  Security  Account  as  specified  in the
Certificate.  The  deposits,  if any, to be made to the Margin  Account shall be
made by the Custodian in accordance  with the terms and conditions of the Margin
Account Agreement.

      6.  Whenever a Futures  Contract  Option  which is written by the Fund and
which is a put is exercised,  the Fund shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a
Certificate  specifying:  (a) the Series to which such  Option was  specifically
allocated; (b) the particular Futures Contract Option exercised; (c) the type of
Futures Contract  underlying such Futures  Contract Option;


                                       14


(d) the name of the  broker or futures  commission  merchant  through  whom such
Futures Contract option is exercised;  (e) the net total amount, if any, payable
to the Fund upon such exercise; (f) the net total amount, if any, payable by the
Fund upon such exercise;  and (g) the amount and kind of Securities  and/or cash
to be  withdrawn  from or  deposited  in, the Senior  Security  Account for such
Series,  if any. The Custodian  shall,  upon its receipt of the net total amount
payable  to the Fund,  if any,  specified  in the  Certificate,  make out of the
moneys and Securities  specifically  allocated to such Series, the payments,  if
any, and the deposits,  if any, into the Senior Security Account as specified in
the Certificate.  The deposits to and/or withdrawals from the Margin Account, if
any, shall be made by the Custodian in accordance  with the terms and conditions
of the Margin Account Agreement.

      7. Whenever the Fund purchases any Futures  Contract option identical to a
previously written Futures Contract option described in this Article in order to
liquidate  its position as a writer of such Futures  Contract  Option,  the Fund
shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to
the Futures Contract Option being purchased: (a) the Series to which such option
is specifically  allocated;  (b) that the transaction is a closing  transaction;
(c) the type of Future  Contract and such other  information as may be necessary
to identify the Futures Contract underlying the Futures Option Contract; (d) the
exercise price; (e) the premium to be paid by the Fund; (f) the expiration date;
(g) the name of the broker or futures commission merchant to whom the premium is
to be paid; and (h) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities,
if any, to be withdrawn from the Senior  Security  Account for such Series.  The
Custodian  shall  effect  the  withdrawals  from  the  Senior  Security  Account
specified  in the  Certificate.  The  withdrawals,  if any,  to be made from the
Margin  Account shall be made by the Custodian in accordance  with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.

      8. Upon the expiration, exercise, or consummation of a closing transaction
with respect to, any Futures  Contract  Option  written or purchased by the Fund
and  described  in this  Article,  the  Custodian  shall (a) delete such Futures
Contract Option from the statements  delivered to the Fund pursuant to paragraph
3 of Article III herein and, (b) make such  withdrawals  from and/or in the case
of an  exercise  such  deposits  into  the  Senior  Security  Account  as may be
specified in a Certificate.  The deposits to and/or  withdrawals from the Margin
Account, if any, shall be made by the Custodian in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.

      9.  Futures  Contracts  acquired  by the Fund  through  the  exercise of a
Futures Contract Option described in this Article shall be subject to Article VI
hereof.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   SHORT SALES

      1.  Promptly  after any short  sales by any  Series of the Fund,  the Fund
shall promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate specifying: (a) the Series
for which such short sale was made;  (b) the name of the issuer and the title of
the  Security;  (c) the number of shares or principal  amount sold,  and accrued
interest or dividends, if any; (d) the dates of the sale and settlement; (e) the
sale price per unit;  (f) the total amount  credited to the Fund upon such sale,
if any, (g) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if any,
which are to be deposited in a Margin  Account and the name in which such Margin
Account  has been or is to be


                                       15


established; (h) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities, if
any,  to be  deposited  in a senior  security  Account,  and (i) the name of the
broker  through  whom such short  sale was made.  The  Custodian  shall upon its
receipt of a statement from such broker  confirming such sale and that the total
amount  credited  to the Fund  upon  such  sale,  if any,  as  specified  in the
Certificate  is held by such  broker for the  account of the  Custodian  (or any
nominee of the Custodian) as custodian of the Fund,  issue a receipt or make the
deposits into the Margin Account and the Senior  Security  Account  specified in
the Certificate.

      2. In connection  with the  closing-out  of any short sale, the Fund shall
promptly deliver to the Custodian a Certificate  specifying with respect to each
such closing out: (a) the Series for which such  transaction  is being made; (b)
the name of the issuer and the title of the  Security;  (c) the number of shares
or the principal amount, and accrued interest or dividends,  if any, required to
effect  such  closing-out  to be  delivered  to the  broker;  (d) the  dates  of
closing-out and  settlement;  (e) the purchase price per unit; (f) the net total
amount  payable  to the Fund upon  such  closing-out;  (g) the net total  amount
payable  to the  broker  upon such  closing-out;  (h) the amount of cash and the
amount and kind of Securities to be withdrawn,  if any, from the Margin Account;
(i) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of  Securities,  if any, to be
withdrawn  from the  Senior  Security  Account;  and (j) the name of the  broker
through whom the Fund is effecting such  closing-out.  The Custodian shall, upon
receipt of the net total amount payable to the Fund upon such  closing-out,  and
the return and/ or cancellation of the receipts, if any, issued by the Custodian
with respect to the short sale being closed-out,  pay out of the moneys held for
the  account  of the Fund to the  broker  the net total  amount  payable  to the
broker, and make the withdrawals from the Margin Account and the Senior Security
Account, as the same are specified in the Certificate.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                          REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

      1.  Promptly  after the Fund enters a Reverse  Repurchase  Agreement  with
respect to Securities and money held by the Custodian hereunder,  the Fund shall
deliver to the Custodian a Certificate,  or in the event such Reverse Repurchase
Agreement is a Money Market  Security,  a  Certificate,  Oral  Instructions,  or
Written Instructions specifying: (a) the Series for which the Reverse Repurchase
Agreement  is entered;  (b) the total amount  payable to the Fund in  connection
with such  Reverse  Repurchase  Agreement  and  specifically  allocated  to such
Series;  (c) the broker or dealer  through or with whom the  Reverse  Repurchase
Agreement is entered;  (d) the amount and kind of  Securities to be delivered by
the Fund to such  broker  or  dealer;  (e) the date of such  Reverse  Repurchase
Agreement;  and (f) the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of Securities,
if any,  specifically  allocated  to such  Series  to be  deposited  in a Senior
Security  Account for such Series in  connection  with such  Reverse  Repurchase
Agreement.  The Custodian shall, upon receipt of the total amount payable to the
Fund specified in the certificate,  Oral Instructions,  or Written  Instructions
make the  delivery  to the broker or dealer,  and the  deposits,  if any, to the
Senior Security Account,  specified in such Certificate,  Oral Instructions,  or
Written Instructions.

      2. Upon the  termination of a Reverse  Repurchase  Agreement  described in
preceding  paragraph  1 of this  Article,  the Fund  shall  promptly  deliver  a
Certificate or, in the event such Reverse Repurchase Agreement is a Money Market
Security,  a Certificate,  Oral  Instructions,  or Written  Instructions  to the
Custodian specifying:  (a) the Reverse Repurchase Agreement being


                                       16


terminated  and the  Series  for which same was  entered;  (b) the total  amount
payable by the Fund in connection with such termination; (c) the amount and kind
of  Securities  to be received by the Fund and  specifically  allocated  to such
Series in connection with such termination; (d) the date of termination; (e) the
name of the  broker  or  dealer  with or  through  whom the  Reverse  Repurchase
Agreement is to be terminated;  and (f) the amount of cash and/or the amount and
kind of Securities to be withdrawn from the Senior  Securities  Account for such
Series.  The Custodian shall,  upon receipt of the amount and kind of Securities
to be received by the Fund specified in the Certificate,  Oral Instructions,  or
Written  Instructions,  make  the  payment  to the  broker  or  dealer,  and the
withdrawals,  if any,  from  the  Senior  Security  Account,  specified  in such
Certificate, Oral Instructions, or Written Instructions.

                                   ARTICLE X

                    LOAN OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES OF THE FUND

      1. Promptly after each loan of portfolio Securities specifically allocated
to a Series held by the Custodian hereunder,  the Fund shall deliver or cause to
be delivered to the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such
loan: (a) the Series to which the loaned securities are specifically  allocated;
(b) the name of the  issuer and the title of the  Securities,  (c) the number of
shares or the principal  amount loaned;  (d) the date of loan and delivery;  (e)
the total  amount  to be  delivered  to the  Custodian  against  the loan of the
Securities,  including the amount of cash  collateral  and the premium,  if any,
separately  identified;  and (f) the name of the broker,  dealer,  or  financial
institution  to  which  the loan was  made.  The  Custodian  shall  deliver  the
Securities  thus  designated to the broker,  dealer or financial  institution to
which the loan was made upon  receipt of the total  amount  designated  as to be
delivered  against the loan of  Securities.  The Custodian may accept payment in
connection  with a delivery  otherwise  than  through the  Book-Entry  System or
Depository  only in the form of a certified or bank  cashier's  check payable to
the order of the Fund or the Custodian  drawn on New York  Clearing  House funds
and may deliver  securities  in  accordance  with the customs  prevailing  among
dealers in securities.

      2. Promptly after each  termination of the loan of Securities by the Fund,
the Fund shall  deliver or cause to be delivered to the  Custodian a Certificate
specifying with respect to each such loan  termination and return of Securities:
(a) the Series to which the loaned  Securities are specifically  allocated;  (b)
the name of the issuer and the title of the  Securities to be returned;  (c) the
number  of  shares  or the  principal  amount  to be  returned;  (d) the date of
termination;  (e) the total amount to be delivered by the  Custodian  (including
the  cash  collateral  for such  Securities  minus  any  offsetting  credits  as
described  in said  Certificate);  and (f) the name of the  broker,  dealer,  or
financial institution from which the Securities will be returned.  The Custodian
shall  receive all  Securities  returned from the broker,  dealer,  or financial
institution to which such  Securities were loaned and upon receipt thereof shall
pay,  out of the  moneys  held for the  account  of the Fund,  the total  amount
payable upon such return of Securities as set forth in the Certificate.


                                       17


                                   ARTICLE XI

                   CONCERNING MARGIN ACCOUNTS, SENIOR SECURITY
                        ACCOUNTS, AND COLLATERAL ACCOUNTS

      1. The  Custodian  shall,  from time to time,  make such  deposits  to, or
withdrawals  from,  a Senior  Security  Account as  specified  in a  Certificate
received by the Custodian.  Such Certificate  shall specify the Series for which
such  deposit  or  withdrawal  is to be made and the  amount of cash  and/or the
amount  and kind of  Securities  specifically  allocated  to such  Series  to be
deposited in, or withdrawn from,  such Senior Security  Account for such Series.
In the event that the Fund fails to specify in a  Certificate  the  Series,  the
name of the issuer,  the title and the number of shares or the principal  amount
of any particular Securities to be deposited by the Custodian into, or withdrawn
from, a Senior Securities Account, the Custodian shall be under no obligation to
make any such deposit or withdrawal and shall so notify the Fund.

      2. The Custodian  shall make  deliveries or payments from a Margin Account
to the broker,  dealer,  futures commission merchant or Clearing Member in whose
name,  or for whose  benefit,  the account was  established  as specified in the
Margin Account Agreement.

      3. Amounts  received by the  Custodian as payments or  distributions  with
respect to  Securities  deposited in any Margin  Account  shall be dealt with in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Margin Account Agreement.

      4. The Custodian shall have a continuing lien and security interest in and
to any  property at any time held by the  Custodian  in any  Collateral  Account
described  herein.  In accordance  with applicable law the Custodian may enforce
its lien and  realize  on any such  property  whenever  the  Custodian  has made
payment  or  delivery  pursuant  to any Put Option  guarantee  letter or similar
document or any receipt  issued  hereunder  by the  Custodian.  In the event the
Custodian  should  realize on any such property net proceeds which are less than
the Custodian's  obligations  under any Put Option  guarantee  letter or similar
document or any receipt,  such deficiency  shall be a debt owed the Custodian by
the Fund within the scope of Article XIV herein.

      5. On each  business  day the  Custodian  shall  furnish  the Fund  with a
statement  with respect to each Margin  Account in which money or Securities are
held  specifying  as of the close of business on the previous  business day: (a)
the name of the  Margin  Account;  (b) the amount  and kind of  Securities  held
therein;  and (c) the amount of money held  therein.  The  Custodian  shall make
available upon request to any broker,  dealer,  or futures  commission  merchant
specified in the name of a Margin Account a copy of the statement  furnished the
Fund with respect to such Margin Account.

      6. Promptly after the close of business on each business day in which cash
and/or  Securities  are maintained in a Collateral  Account for any Series,  the
Custodian  shall  furnish  the  Fund  with a  statement  with  respect  to  such
Collateral  Account  specifying the amount of cash and/or the amount and kind of
Securities held therein. No later than the close of business next succeeding the
delivery to the Fund of such statement,  the Fund shall furnish to the Custodian
a Certificate  or Written  Instructions  specifying the then market value of the
Securities  described in such statement.  In the event such then market value is
indicated  to be less  than  the  Custodian's  obligation  with  respect  to any
outstanding  Put option  guarantee  letter or similar  document,  the


                                       18


Fund  shall  promptly  specify  in a  Certificate  the  additional  cash  and/or
Securities  to be  deposited  in  such  Collateral  Account  to  eliminate  such
deficiency.

                                  ARTICLE XII

                      PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS

      1. The Fund shall furnish to the Custodian a copy of the resolution of the
Board of  Trustees  of the Fund,  certified  by the  Secretary,  the Clerk,  any
Assistant  Secretary  or any  Assistant  Clerk,  either (i)  setting  forth with
respect  to the  Series  specified  therein  the  date of the  declaration  of a
dividend or  distribution,  the date of payment  thereof,  the record date as of
which shareholders  entitled to payment shall be determined,  the amount payable
per Share of such Series to the  shareholders  of record as of that date and the
total  amount  payable  to the  Dividend  Agent  and any  sub-dividend  agent or
co-dividend  agent of the Fund on the payment  date,  or (ii)  authorizing  with
respect to the  Series  specified  therein  the  declaration  of  dividends  and
distributions  on a daily basis and  authorizing  the  Custodian to rely on Oral
Instructions,  Written  Instructions or a Certificate  setting forth the date of
the declaration of such dividend or  distribution,  the date of payment thereof,
the  record  date  as  of  which  shareholders  entitled  to  payment  shall  be
determined,  the amount payable per Share of such Series to the  shareholders of
record as of that date and the total amount payable to the Dividend Agent on the
payment date.

      2. Upon the payment date specified in such resolution,  Oral Instructions,
Written Instructions or Certificate, as the case may be, the Custodian shall pay
out of the moneys held for the account of each Series the total  amount  payable
to the Dividend Agent and any  sub-dividend  agent or  co-dividend  agent of the
Fund with respect to such Series.

                                  ARTICLE XIII

                          SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

      1.  Whenever  the Fund  shall  sell any  Shares,  it shall  deliver to the
Custodian a Certificate duly specifying:

            (a) The Series,  the number of Shares sold,  trade date,  and price;
and

            (b) The amount of money to be received by the Custodian for the sale
of such Shares and specifically allocated to the separate account in the name of
such Series.

      2. Upon receipt of such money from the Transfer Agent, the Custodian shall
credit  such money to the  separate  account in the name of the Series for which
such money was received.

      3. Upon  issuance of any Shares of any Series  described in the  foregoing
provisions of this Article,  the Custodian  shall pay, out of the money held for
the account of such  Series,  all original  issue or other taxes  required to be
paid by the  Fund in  connection  with  such  issuance  upon  the  receipt  of a
Certificate specifying the amount to be paid.

      4. Except as provided hereinafter, whenever the Fund desires the Custodian
to make payment out of the money held by the  Custodian  hereunder in connection
with a redemption of any Shares, it shall furnish to the Custodian a Certificate
specifying:


                                       19


            (a) The number and Series of Shares redeemed; and

            (b) The amount to be paid for such Shares.

      5. Upon  receipt from the Transfer  Agent of an advice  setting  forth the
Series and number of Shares  received by the Transfer  Agent for  redemption and
that such  Shares  are in good form for  redemption,  the  Custodian  shall make
payment to the Transfer Agent out of the moneys held in the separate  account in
the name of the Series the total  amount  specified  in the  Certificate  issued
pursuant to the foregoing paragraph 4 of this Article:

      6.  Notwithstanding  the above provisions  regarding the redemption of any
Shares,  whenever  any  Shares are  redeemed  pursuant  to any check  redemption
privilege  which may from time to time be  offered by the Fund,  the  Custodian,
unless otherwise  instructed by a Certificate,  shall, upon receipt of an advice
from the Fund or its agent setting forth that the redemption is in good form for
redemption in accordance with the check  redemption  procedure,  honor the check
presented as part of such check  redemption  privilege out of the moneys held in
the separate account of the Series of the Shares being redeemed.

                                  ARTICLE XIV

                           OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS

      1. If the Custodian, should in its sole discretion advance funds on behalf
of any Series  which  results in an  overdraft  because  the moneys  held by the
Custodian in the separate  account for such Series shall be  insufficient to pay
the total amount payable upon a purchase of securities specifically allocated to
such  Series,  as set forth in a  Certificate,  Oral  Instructions,  or  Written
Instructions  or which  results in an overdraft in the separate  account of such
Series for some other reason, or if the Fund is for any other reason indebted to
the Custodian with respect to a Series,  including any  indebtedness to The Bank
of New York under the Fund's Cash  Management  and Related  Services  Agreement,
(except a borrowing for investment or for temporary or emergency  purposes using
Securities  as  collateral  pursuant to a separate  agreement and subject to the
provisions of paragraph 2 of this Article), such overdraft or indebtedness shall
be deemed to be a loan made by the Custodian to the Fund for such Series payable
on demand and shall bear  interest  from the date  incurred  at a rate per annum
(based on a  360-day  year for the  actual  number  of days  involved)  equal to
Federal Fund Rate at 1% over Custodian's prime commercial lending rate in effect
from time to time,  such rate to be adjusted on the effective date of any change
in such  prime  commercial  lending  rate but in no event to be less than 6% per
annum.  In  addition,  the Fund hereby  agrees that the  Custodian  shall have a
continuing  lien  and  security  interest  in and to any  property  specifically
allocated  to such  Series at any time held by it for the benefit of such series
or in  which  the Fund may  have an  interest  which is then in the  Custodian's
possession  or control or in  possession or control of any third party acting in
the  Custodian's  behalf.  The  Fund  authorizes  the  Custodian,  in  its  sole
discretion,  at any time to charge any such overdraft or  indebtedness  together
with  interest  due  thereon  against  any  balance of account  standing to such
Series' credit on the Custodian's books. In addition,  the Fund hereby covenants
that on each  Business  Day on  which  either  it  intends  to  enter a  Reverse
Repurchase  Agreement  and/or otherwise borrow from a third party, or which next
succeeds  a  Business  Day on  which  at the  close  of  business  the  Fund had
outstanding a Reverse Repurchase  Agreement or such a borrowing,  it shall prior
to 9 a.m., New York City time,  advise the


                                       20


Custodian, in writing, of each such borrowing, shall specify the Series to which
the same relates,  and shall not incur any  indebtedness  not so specified other
than from the Custodian.

      2. The  Fund  will  cause to be  delivered  to the  Custodian  by any bank
(including, if the borrowing is pursuant to a separate agreement, the Custodian)
from  which it  borrows  money for  investment  or for  temporary  or  emergency
purposes using Securities held by the Custodian hereunder as collateral for such
borrowings,  a notice or undertaking in the form currently  employed by any such
bank  setting  forth the amount  which  such bank will loan to the Fund  against
delivery of a stated amount of collateral.  The Fund shall  promptly  deliver to
the Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such borrowing:  (a)
the Series to which such  borrowing  relates;  (b) the name of the bank; (c) the
amount and terms of the borrowing,  which may be set forth by  incorporating  by
reference an attached  promissory note, duly endorsed by the Fund, or other loan
agreement;  (d) the time and date, if known,  on which the loan is to be entered
into;  (e) the date on which the loan  becomes  due and  payable;  (f) the total
amount  payable  to the Fund on the  borrowing  date;  (g) the  market  value of
Securities  to be delivered as collateral  for such loan,  including the name of
the issuer,  the title and the number of shares or the  principal  amount of any
particular  Securities;  and (h) a statement specifying whether such loan is for
investment purposes or for temporary or emergency purposes and that such loan is
in  conformance  with  the  Investment  Company  Act  of  1940  and  the  Fund's
prospectus.  The Custodian  shall deliver on the borrowing  date  specified in a
Certificate the specified  collateral and the executed  promissory note, if any,
against  delivery by the lending bank of the total  amount of the loan  payable,
provided that the same conforms to the total amount  payable as set forth in the
Certificate.  The Custodian  may, at the option of the lending  bank,  keep such
collateral in its possession, but such collateral shall be subject to all rights
therein  given  the  lending  bank  by  virtue  of any  promissory  note or loan
agreement.  The Custodian shall deliver such Securities as additional collateral
as may be specified in a Certificate to  collateralize  further any  transaction
described in this paragraph.  The Fund shall cause all Securities  released from
collateral  status to be returned  directly to the Custodian,  and the Custodian
shall  receive from time to time such return of collateral as may be tendered to
it. In the event that the Fund fails to specify in a Certificate the Series, the
name of the issuer,  the title and number of shares or the  principal  amount of
any particular  Securities to be delivered as collateral by the  Custodian,  the
Custodian shall not be under any obligation to deliver any Securities.

                                   ARTICLE XV

                            CONCERNING THE CUSTODIAN

      1. Except as hereinafter  provided,  neither the Custodian nor its nominee
shall be liable for any loss or damage,  including counsel fees,  resulting from
its action or omission to act or otherwise; either hereunder or under any Margin
Account  Agreement,  except for any such loss or damage  arising  out of its own
negligence or willful  misconduct.  In no event shall the Custodian be liable to
the Fund or any third party for special,  indirect or  consequential  damages or
lost  profits or loss of  business,  arising  under or in  connection  with this
Agreement,  even if previously  informed of the  possibility of such damages and
regardless of the form of action.  The Custodian  may, with respect to questions
of law arising  hereunder or under any Margin Account  Agreement,  apply for and
obtain the advice and opinion of counsel to the Fund or of its own  counsel,  at
the expense of the Fund,  and shall be fully  protected with respect to anything
done or omitted by it in good faith in  conformity  with such advice or opinion.
The Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage  resulting from
the use of the  Book-Entry  System or any


                                       21


Depository arising by reason of any negligence or willful misconduct on the part
of the Custodian or any of its employees or agents.

      2. Without  limiting the generality of the foregoing,  the Custodian shall
be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:

            (a) The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased,  sold, or
written  by or for the Fund,  the  legality  of the  purchase,  sale or  writing
thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid or received therefor;

            (b) The  legality of the sale or  redemption  of any Shares,  or the
propriety of the amount to be received or paid therefor;

            (c) The  legality of the  declaration  or payment of any dividend by
the Fund;

            (d) The legality of any  borrowing by the Fund using  Securities  as
collateral;

            (e) The legality of any loan of portfolio Securities,  nor shall the
Custodian be under any duty or obligation to see to it that any cash  collateral
delivered to it by a broker,  dealer, or financial  institution or held by it at
any  time as a  result  of such  loan of  portfolio  Securities  of the  Fund is
adequate  collateral  for the Fund against any loss it might sustain as a result
of such loan. The Custodian  specifically,  but not by way of limitation,  shall
not be under any duty or  obligation  periodically  to check or notify  the Fund
that the amount of such cash  collateral  held by it for the Fund is  sufficient
collateral  for  the  Fund,  but  such  duty or  obligation  shall  be the  sole
responsibility of the Fund. In addition, the Custodian shall be under no duty or
obligation  to see that any broker,  dealer or  financial  institution  to which
portfolio  Securities  of the Fund  are lent  pursuant  to  Article  XIV of this
Agreement  makes payment to it of any dividends or interest which are payable to
or for the  account  of the  Fund  during  the  period  of  such  loan or at the
termination of such loan, provided,  however,  that the Custodian shall promptly
notify the Fund in the event that such  dividends  or interest  are not paid and
received when due; or

            (f)  The  sufficiency  or  value  of any  amounts  of  money  and/or
Securities  held in any Margin Account,  Senior  Security  Account or Collateral
Account in connection with transactions by the Fund. In addition,  the Custodian
shall be under no duty or  obligation  to see that any broker,  dealer,  futures
commission  merchant  or  Clearing  Member  makes  payment  to the  Fund  of any
variation  margin  payment or similar  payment which the Fund may be entitled to
receive  from such  broker,  dealer,  futures  commission  merchant  or Clearing
Member,  to see that any  payment  received  by the  Custodian  from any broker,
dealer, futures commission merchant or Clearing Member is the amount the Fund is
entitled  to  receive,  or to  notify  the Fund of the  Custodian's  receipt  or
non-receipt of any such payment.

      3.  The  Custodian  shall  not be  liable  for,  or  considered  to be the
Custodian of, any money,  whether or not  represented  by any check,  draft,  or
other instrument for the payment of money,  received by it on behalf of the Fund
until the Custodian actually receives and collects such money directly or by the
final  crediting  of  the  account  representing  the  Fund's  interest  at  the
Book-Entry System or the Depository.

      4. The Custodian shall have no responsibility  and shall not be liable for
ascertaining or acting upon any calls,  conversions,  exchange offers,  tenders,
interest  rate changes or similar


                                       22


matters  relating to  Securities  held in the  Depository,  unless the Custodian
shall have  actually  received  timely notice from the  Depository.  In no event
shall the Custodian have any  responsibility or liability for the failure of the
Depository  to collect,  or for the late  collection  or late  crediting  by the
Depository of any amount  payable upon  Securities  deposited in the  Depository
which may mature or be redeemed,  retired,  called or otherwise  become payable.
However,  upon receipt of a  Certificate  from the Fund of an overdue  amount on
Securities  held in the Depository the Custodian  shall make a claim against the
Depository on behalf of the Fund,  except that the Custodian  shall not be under
any  obligation to appear in,  prosecute or defend any action suit or proceeding
in respect to any  Securities  held by the  Depository  which in its opinion may
involve it in expense or liability,  unless indemnity satisfactory to it against
all expense and liability be furnished as often as may be required.

      5. The Custodian  shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action
to effect  collection  of any amount due to the Fund from the Transfer  Agent of
the Fund  nor to take any  action  to  effect  payment  or  distribution  by the
Transfer  Agent of the Fund of any amount paid by the  Custodian to the Transfer
Agent of the Fund in accordance with this Agreement

      6. The Custodian  shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action
to effect  collection of any amount if the Securities  upon which such amount is
payable  are  in  default,  or  if  payment  is  refused  after  due  demand  or
presentation, unless and until (i) it shall be directed to take such action by a
Certificate and (ii) it shall be assured to its satisfaction of reimbursement of
its costs and expenses in connection with any such action.

      7.  The  Custodian  may  appoint  one  or  more  banking  institutions  as
Depository  or  Depositories,   as  Sub-Custodian  or   Sub-Custodians,   or  as
Co-Custodian   or   Co-Custodians   including,   but  not  limited  to,  banking
institutions located in foreign countries,  of Securities and moneys at any time
owned by the  Fund,  upon such  terms and  conditions  as may be  approved  in a
Certificate or contained in an agreement executed by the Custodian, the Fund and
the appointed institution.

      8.  The  Custodian  shall  not be  under  any  duty or  obligation  (a) to
ascertain  whether any  Securities at any time  delivered to, or held by it, for
the  account  of the Fund and  specifically  allocated  to a Series  are such as
properly may be held by the Fund or such Series under the provisions of its then
current  prospectus,  or (b) to ascertain  whether any transactions by the Fund,
whether or not involving the custodian, are such transactions as may properly be
engaged in by the Fund.

      9. The  Custodian  shall be entitled to receive and the Fund agrees to pay
to the  Custodian all  out-of-pocket  expenses and such  compensation  as may be
agreed upon from time to time between the Custodian and the Fund.  The Custodian
may charge such  compensation and any expenses with respect to a Series incurred
by the Custodian in the  performance  of its duties  pursuant to such  agreement
against any money specifically located to such Series. Unless and until the Fund
instructs  the  Custodian  by a  Certificate  to  apportion  any  loss,  damage,
liability or expense among the Series in a specified manner, the Custodian shall
also be  entitled  to charge  against  any money held by it for the account of a
Series such  Series' pro rata share (based on such Series net asset value at the
time of the charge to the  aggregate net asset value of all Series at that time)
of the amount of any loss, damage, liability or expense, including counsel fees,
for which it shall be entitled to  reimbursement  under the  provisions  of this
Agreement.   The  expenses  for  which  the  Custodian   shall  be  entitled  to
reimbursement  hereunder shall include,  but


                                       23


are not limited to, the expenses of  sub-custodians  and foreign branches of the
custodian  incurred in settling outside of New York City transactions  involving
the purchase and sale of Securities of the Fund.

      10. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon any  Certificate,  notice
or other instrument in writing received by the Custodian and reasonably believed
by the Custodian to be a  Certificate.  The Custodian  shall be entitled to rely
upon any Oral Instructions and any Written Instructions actually received by the
Custodian  hereinabove provided for. The Fund agrees to forward to the Custodian
a Certificate or facsimile thereof  confirming such Oral Instructions or Written
Instructions  in such manner so that such  Certificate  or facsimile  thereof is
received by the Custodian, whether by hand delivery, telecopier or other similar
device,  or  otherwise,  by the close of business of the same day that such Oral
Instructions or Written Instructions are given to the Custodian. The Fund agrees
that  the  fact  that  such  confirming  instructions  are not  received  by the
Custodian  shall  in  no  way  affect  the  validity  of  the   transactions  or
enforceability  of the  transactions  hereby  authorized  by the Fund.  The Fund
agrees that the  Custodian  shall incur no  liability to the Fund in acting upon
Oral  Instructions  or Written  Instructions  given to the  Custodian  hereunder
concerning such  transactions  provided such  instructions  reasonably appear to
have been received from an Authorized Person.

      11.  The  Custodian  shall  be  entitled  to  rely  upon  any  instrument,
instruction or notice  received by the Custodian and reasonably  believed by the
Custodian to be given in accordance  with the terms and conditions of any Margin
Account  Agreement.  Without  limiting  the  generality  of the  foregoing,  the
Custodian  shall be under no duty to inquire into,  and shall not be liable for,
the  accuracy  of any  statements  or  representations  contained  in  any  such
instrument or other notice including,  without limitation,  any specification of
any  amount to be paid to a  broker,  dealer,  futures  commission  merchant  or
Clearing Member.

      12.  The  books  and  records  pertaining  to the  Fund  which  are in the
possession  of the Custodian  shall be the property of the Fund.  Such books and
records shall be prepared and maintained as required by the  Investment  Company
Act of 1940,  as amended,  and other  applicable  securities  laws and rules and
regulations.  The Fund,  or the Fund's  authorized  representatives,  shall have
access to such books and records during the  Custodian's  normal business hours.
Upon the  reasonable  request of the Fund,  copies of any such books and records
shall  be  provided  by the  Custodian  to the  Fund  or the  Fund's  authorized
representative,  and the Fund shall  reimburse  the  Custodian  its  expenses of
providing such copies.  Upon reasonable request of the Fund, the Custodian shall
provide in hard copy or on  micro-film,  whichever  the  Custodian  elects,  any
records included in any such delivery which are maintained by the Custodian on a
computer  disc, or are similarly  maintained,  and the Fund shall  reimburse the
Custodian for its expenses of providing such hard copy or micro-film.

      13. The Custodian  shall provide the Fund with any report  obtained by the
Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of the Book-Entry System,
the  Depository or O.C.C.,  and with such reports on its own systems of internal
accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to time.

      14.  The Fund  agrees to  indemnify  the  Custodian  against  and save the
Custodian harmless from all liability,  claims,  losses and demands  whatsoever,
including  attorney's  fees,  howsoever  arising  or  incurred  because of or in
connection with this Agreement, including the Custodian's payment or non-payment
of checks pursuant to paragraph 6 of Article XIII as part of


                                       24


any  check  redemption  privilege  program  of the  Fund,  except  for any  such
liability,  claim, loss and demand arising out of the Custodian's own negligence
or willful misconduct.

      15. Subject to the foregoing  provisions of this Agreement,  the Custodian
may  deliver  and  receive  Securities,   and  receipts  with  respect  to  such
Securities, and arrange for payments to be made and received by the Custodian in
accordance  with the  customs  prevailing  from time to time  among  brokers  or
dealers  in such  Securities.  When  the  Custodian  is  instructed  to  deliver
Securities  against payment,  delivery of such Securities and receipt of payment
therefor   may  not  be   completed   simultaneously.   The  Fund   assumes  all
responsibility  and liability for all credit risks  involved in connection  with
the  Custodian's  delivery of securities  pursuant to  instructions of the Fund,
which  responsibility  and liability  shall continue until final payment in full
has been received by the Custodian.

      16.  The  Custodian  shall have no duties or  responsibilities  whatsoever
except such duties and  responsibilities  as are  specifically set forth in this
Agreement,  and no covenant  or  obligation  shall be implied in this  Agreement
against the Custodian.

                                  ARTICLE XVI

                                   TERMINATION

      1. Either of the parties  hereto may terminate this Agreement by giving to
the other  party a notice in writing  specifying  the date of such  termination,
which  shall be not less than  ninety (90) days after the date of giving of such
notice.  In the event such notice is given by the Fund, it shall be  accompanied
by a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, certified by the
Secretary,  the Clerk, any Assistant Secretary or any Assistant Clerk,  electing
to terminate this Agreement and designating a successor custodian or custodians,
each of which shall be a bank or trust company  having not less than  $2,000,000
aggregate capital,  surplus and undivided  profits.  In the event such notice is
given by the  Custodian,  the Fund  shall,  on or before the  termination  date,
deliver to the  Custodian a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the
Fund,  certified by the  Secretary,  the Clerk,  any Assistant  Secretary or any
Assistant Clerk, designating a successor custodian or custodians. In the absence
of such  designation  by the Fund,  the  Custodian  may  designate  a  successor
custodian which shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $2,000,000
aggregate  capital,  surplus and undivided  profits.  Upon the date set forth in
such notice this Agreement shall terminate, and the Custodian shall upon receipt
of a notice of  acceptance  by the  successor  custodian  on that  date  deliver
directly to the successor  custodian all Securities and moneys then owned by the
Fund and held by it as Custodian,  after deducting all fees,  expenses and other
amounts for the payment or reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled.

      2. If a successor custodian is not designated by the Fund or the Custodian
in  accordance  with  the  preceding  paragraph,  the Fund  shall  upon the date
specified in the notice of  termination  of this Agreement and upon the delivery
by the Custodian of all Securities (other than securities held in the Book-Entry
System  which cannot be delivered to the Fund) and moneys then owned by the Fund
be deemed to be its own custodian and the Custodian shall thereby be relieved of
all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement,  other than the duty
with  respect  to  Securities  held in the  Book-Entry  System  which  cannot be
delivered to the Fund to hold such Securities  hereunder in accordance with this
Agreement.


                                       25


                                  ARTICLE XVII

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

      1.  Annexed  hereto as  Appendix A is a  Certificate  signed by two of the
present  officers  of the Fund under its seal,  setting  forth the names and the
signatures of the present Authorized Persons.  The Fund agrees to furnish to the
Custodian a new  Certificate  in similar form in the event that any such present
Authorized  Person ceases to be an Authorized  Person or in the event that other
or  additional  Authorized  Persons  are  elected or  appointed.  Until such new
Certificate shall be received,  the Custodian shall be fully protected in acting
under the provisions of this Agreement upon Oral  Instructions  or signatures of
the present Authorized Persons as set forth in the last delivered Certificate.

      2.  Annexed  hereto as  Appendix B is a  Certificate  signed by two of the
present  Officers  of the Fund under its seal,  setting  forth the names and the
signatures  of the present  Officers of the Fund.  The Fund agrees to furnish to
the  Custodian a new  Certificate  in similar form in the event any such present
Officer  ceases to be an  Officer  of the Fund,  or in the event  that  other or
additional  officers are elected or appointed.  Until such new Certificate shall
be  received,  the  Custodian  shall be fully  protected  in  acting  under  the
provisions of this Agreement upon the signatures of the officers as set forth in
the last delivered Certificate.

      3. Any notice or other  instrument  in writing,  authorized or required by
this  Agreement to be given to the  Custodian,  shall be  sufficiently  given if
addressed  to the  Custodian  and mailed or delivered to it at its offices at 90
Washington  Street,  New York,  New York  10286,  or at such other  place as the
Custodian may from time to time designate in writing.

      4. Any notice or other  instrument  in writing,  authorized or required by
this Agreement to be given to the Fund shall be sufficiently  given if addressed
to the Fund and mailed or  delivered  to it at its office at the address for the
Fund first  above  written,  or at such other place as the Fund may from time to
time designate in writing.

      5. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a
written  agreement  executed by both  parties  with the same  formality  as this
Agreement and approved by a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

      6. This  Agreement  shall  extend to and shall be binding upon the parties
hereto, and their respective  successors and assigns;  provided,  however,  that
this Agreement  shall not be assignable by the Fund without the written  consent
of the Custodian,  or by the Custodian  without the written consent of the Fund,
authorized or approved by a resolution of the Fund's Board of Trustees.

      7. This  Agreement  shall be construed in accordance  with the laws of the
State of New York without giving effect to conflict of laws principles  thereof.
Each party  hereby  consents  to the  jurisdiction  of a state or federal  court
situated  in New York City,  New York in  connection  with any  dispute  arising
hereunder and hereby waives its right to trial by jury.

      8. This Agreement may be executed in any number of  counterparts,  each of
which shall be deemed to be an original,  but such counterparts shall, together,
constitute only one instrument.


                                       26


      9. A copy of the  Declaration  of Trust  of the  Fund is on file  with the
Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts,  and notice is hereby given that
this  instrument  is  executed on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Fund as
Trustees and not  individually  and that the  obligations of this instrument are
not  binding  upon any of the  Trustees  or  shareholders  individually  but are
binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund; provided,  however,  that
the  Declaration  of Trust of the Fund  provides that the assets of a particular
Series of the Fund shall  under no  circumstances  be charged  with  liabilities
attributable  to any  other  Series of the Fund and that all  persons  extending
credit to, or contracting  with or having any claim against a particular  Series
of the Fund shall look only to the assets of that particular  Series for payment
of such credit, contract or claim.


                                       27


      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their  respective  Officers,  thereunto  duly  authorized  and their
respective  seals to be  hereunto  affixed,  as of the day and year first  above
written.

                                       MUNIYIELD FUND, INC.

[SEAL]                                 By:______________________________________

Attests:

__________________________________

                                       THE BANK OF NEW YORK

[SEAL]                                 By:______________________________________

Attest:

__________________________________


                                       28


                                   APPENDIX A

      I,                               , President and I,
,                        of MuniYield Fund, Inc., a Massachusetts business trust
(the "Fund"), do hereby certify that:

      The  following  individuals  have  been  duly  authorized  by the Board of
Trustees  of the Fund in  conformity  with the Fund's  Declaration  of Trust and
By-Laws to give Oral  Instructions  and  Written  Instructions  on behalf of the
Fund, and the signatures  set forth  opposite their  respective  names are their
true and correct signatures:

Name                                   Signature

_______________________________        ___________________________________


                                   APPENDIX B

      I,                               , President and I,
,                        of MuniYield Fund, Inc., a Massachusetts business trust
(the "Fund"), do hereby certify that:

      The following  individuals serve in the following  positions with the Fund
and each has been duly elected or appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund
to each such  position  and  qualified  therefor in  conformity  with the Fund's
Declaration  of Trust and By-Laws,  and the  signatures set forth opposite their
respective names are their true and correct signatures:

          Name                       Position                 Signature

_________________________   ________________________   _________________________


                                   APPENDIX C

         I, Marjorie  McLaughlin,  an Assistant  Vice President with THE BANK OF
NEW YORK do hereby designate the following publications:

The Bond Buyer
Depository Trust Company Notices
Financial Daily Card Service
JJ Kenney Municipal Bond Service
London Financial Times
New York Times
Standard & Poor's Called Bond Record
Wall Street Journal


                                    EXHIBIT A

                                  CERTIFICATION

      The undersigned,                                   , hereby certifies that
he  or  she  is  the  duly  elected  and  acting  of  MuniYield  Fund,  Inc.,  a
Massachusetts  business  trust (the  "Fund"),  and  further  certifies  that the
following  resolution  was  adopted  by the Board of  Trustees  of the Fund at a
meeting duly held on  ______________,  1991,  at which a quorum was at all times
present and that such  resolution  has not been  modified or rescinded and is in
full force and effect as of the date hereof.

            RESOLVED,  that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to
      a Custody  Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated
      as of  ____________,  1991, (the "Custody  Agreement") is authorized
      and  instructed on a continuous  and ongoing basis to deposit in the
      Book-Entry  System,  as  defined  in  the  Custody  Agreement,   all
      securities eligible for deposit therein, regardless of the Series to
      which  the same  are  specifically  allocated,  and to  utilize  the
      Book-Entry  System to the extent  possible  in  connection  with its
      performance thereunder, including, without limitation, in connection
      with  settlements  of purchases  and sales of  securities,  loans of
      securities, and deliveries and returns of securities collateral.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of MuniYield Fund,
Inc., as of the day     of               , 1991.

                                         _______________________________________
[SEAL]


                                    EXHIBIT B

                                  CERTIFICATION

         The undersigned,                                , hereby certifies that
he or she is the duly elected and acting                      of MuniYield Fund,
Inc., a Massachusetts  business trust (the "Fund"),  and further  certifies that
the following  resolution  was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund at a
meeting duly held on , 1991, at which a quorum was at all times present and that
such  resolution  has not been  modified or  rescinded  and is in full force and
effect as of the date hereof.

            RESOLVED,  that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to
      a Custody  Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated
      as of                , 1991, (the "Custody Agreement") is authorized
      and  instructed on a continuous and ongoing basis until such time as
      it receives a Certificate,  as defined in the Custody Agreement,  to
      the contrary to deposit in the Depository, as defined in the Custody
      Agreement,  all securities eligible for deposit therein,  regardless
      of the Series to which the same are specifically  allocated,  and to
      utilize the Depository to the extent possible in connection with its
      performance thereunder, including, without limitation, in connection
      with  settlements  of purchases  and sales of  securities,  loans of
      securities, and deliveries and returns of securities collateral.

         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have  hereunto  set my hand  and  the  seal of
MuniYield Fund, Inc., as of the    day of              , 1991.

                                         _______________________________________
[SEAL]



                                   EXHIBIT B-1

                                  CERTIFICATION

      The undersigned,                                   , hereby certifies that
he or she is the duly elected                            and acting of MuniYield
Fund, Inc., a Massachusetts  business trust (the "Fund"),  and further certifies
that the following  resolution  was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund
at a meeting duly held on ___________,  1991, at which a quorum was at all times
present and that such  resolution  has not been  modified or rescinded and is in
full force and effect as of the date hereof.

            RESOLVED,  that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to
      a Custody  Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated
      as of                , 1991, (the "Custody Agreement") is authorized
      and  instructed on a continuous and ongoing basis until such time as
      it receives a Certificate,  as defined in the Custody Agreement,  to
      the  contrary  to  deposit  in the  Participants  Trust  Company  as
      Depository,  as defined in the  Custody  Agreement,  all  securities
      eligible for deposit therein,  regardless of the Series to which the
      same are  specifically  allocated,  and to utilize the  Participants
      Trust  Company  to  the  extent  possible  in  connection  with  its
      performance thereunder, including, without limitation, in connection
      with  settlements  of purchases  and sales of  securities,  loans of
      securities, and deliveries and returns of securities collateral.

         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have  hereunto  set my hand  and  the  seal of
MuniYield Fund, Inc., as of the    day of               , 1991.

                                         _______________________________________
[SEAL]


                                    EXHIBIT C

                                  CERTIFICATION

      The undersigned,                                   , hereby certifies that
he or she is the duly elected                            and acting of MuniYield
Fund, Inc., a Massachusetts  business trust (the "Fund"),  and further certifies
that the following  resolution  was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fund
at a meeting  duly held on  ______________,  1991,  at which a quorum was at all
times present and that such resolution has not been modified or rescinded and is
in full force and effect as of the date hereof.

            RESOLVED,  that The Bank of New York, as Custodian pursuant to
      a Custody  Agreement between The Bank of New York and the Fund dated
      as of  ____________,  1991, (the "Custody  Agreement") is authorized
      and  instructed on a continuous and ongoing basis until such time as
      it receives a Certificate,  as defined in the Custody Agreement,  to
      the  contrary,  to accept,  utilize and act with respect to Clearing
      Member   confirmations  for  Options  and  transaction  in  Options,
      regardless  of  the  Series  to  which  the  same  are  specifically
      allocated,  as such terms are defined in the Custody  Agreement,  as
      provided in the Custody Agreement.

         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have  hereunto  set my hand  and  the  seal of
MuniYield Fund, Inc., as of the    day of              , 1991.

                                         _______________________________________
[SEAL]


                         DOMESTIC CUSTODIAN FEE SCHEDULE
                                       FOR
                              MUNIYIELD FUND, INC.

Safekeepinq/Income Collection/Reporting via LASER
DTC/ID Affirmations

      5/8ths  of a basis  point  per annum on the  aggregate  net  assets of the
portfolio's securities.

Security Transaction Charges

         $ 8    -   Book-Entry settlement - DTC/FRB

         $25    -   Physicals, options, and futures

         $ 5    -   Futures maintenance margins

Other Transaction Charges

         $ 8.50     Bank official checks and money transfers in/out-
                    not related to securities transactions.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

These  expenses  are in  addition  to  quoted  fees and are  billed  as they are
incurred.  These expenses traditionally include, but are not limited to, postage
and handling on physical  transfer items,  telephone  charges,  Fed Wire charges
relating to security settlements, etc.

MuniYield Fund, Inc.                     The Bank of New York

Approved by:_________________________    Submitted by:__________________________

       Date:_________________________            Date:__________________________