“You must understand, then,” said the farmer, “that I hold my lands by a very unusual tenure. This is not my fault. However, you will find _me_ an indulgent master to _you_, at all events; for, in fact, you may chance to be my master as much as I yours, or perhaps more; for _these_ are the terms:-- “If _I_, at any time, first find fault with any one thing _you_ may say or do, _you_ are to be solemnly bound to take this (pointing to an immense and sharp axe) and forthwith, without a word, strike _me_ till _I_ shall be dead: but should _you_, at any one time, first find fault with one of _my_ words or actions, _I_ must be equally bound to do the very same dreadful thing to _yourself_. Blame _me_ not, therefore, should _you_ find fault with _me_, for it will be my destiny, nay, my duty, to do as I have described; and, on the contrary, if it happen _otherwise_, I must be ready to submit to my fate. Consider, and reply.” “O, my master!” said Mihal More, “I have but the alternative of starvation; I am in a strangely wild country, without a friend. I _must_ die, if I proceed, and nothing more dreadful than death can happen to me here. I therefore throw myself on your compassion, and agree to your terms.” They then returned to the house, and Mihal felt somewhat refreshed, even by the smell alone of the savoury viands which the mistress was then preparing for the afternoon’s repast; the greyhound, too, cast occasionally wistful glances towards the operations going forward. At length the dinner hour being all but arrived, the old lady in the chimney-corner then opened her lips for the first time since Mihal had come in, and expressed a wish to go out and take a walk; “for,” said she, “I have not been out for some weeks, ever since our last servant left us. What is your name, my man?” So he told her. “Come out, then,” said she, “Mihal, and assist me about the garden, for I am completely cramped.” Mihal muttered a few words about dinner, hunger, and so on, but was interrupted by the farmer, who said, “Mihal, you _must_ attend my mother; she has sometimes strange fancies. Besides, remember our agreement. _Do you find fault with me?_” “O, by no means, sir,” said Mihal, frightened; “I must do my business, I suppose.” The dinner was actually laid out on the plates to every one when Mihal and the old lady walked out. No sooner had they done so, than the greyhound, before she could be prevented, pounced on his dinner, and devoured it in a moment! The old lady thought proper to walk for some hours in the garden; and now was Mihal very hungry, for he had tasted nothing since he had finished the hen early that morning; he almost began to wish that he had relieved the greyhound.