There once lived in a town of Persia two brothers,
one named Cassim and the other Ali Baba.
Their father divided a small inheritance equally
between them.
Cassim married a very rich wife, and became
a wealthy merchant.
Ali Baba married a woman as poor as himself,
and lived by cutting wood, and bringing it
upon three asses into the town, to sell.
One day, when Ali Baba was in the forest,
and had just cut wood enough to load his asses,
he saw at a distance a great cloud of dust,
which seemed to approach him.
He observed it with attention, and distinguished
soon after a body of horsemen, who he suspected
might be robbers.
He determined to leave his asses to save himself.
He climbed up a large tree, planted on a high
rock, whose branches were thick enough to
conceal him, and yet enabled him to see all
that passed without being discovered.
The troop, who were to the number of forty,
all well mounted and armed, came to the foot
of the rock on which the tree stood, and there
dismounted. Every man unbridled his horse,
tied him to some shrub, and hung about his
neck a bag of corn
which they brought behind them.
Then each of them took off his saddle-bag,
which seemed to Ali Baba to be full of gold
and silver from its weight.
One, whom he took to be their captain, came
under the tree in which Ali Baba was concealed;
and making his way through some shrubs, pronounced
these words: "Open, Sesame!"
As soon as the captain of the robbers
had thus spoken, a door opened in the rock;
and after he had made all his troop enter
before him, he followed them, when the door
shut again of itself.
The robbers stayed some time within the rock,
during which Ali Baba, fearful of being caught,
remained in the tree.
At last the door opened again, and as the
captain went in last, so he came out first,
and stood to see them all pass by him; when
Ali Baba heard him make the door close by
pronouncing these words, "Shut, Sesame!"
Every man at once went and bridled his horse,
fastened his wallet, and mounted again.
When the captain saw them all ready, he put
himself at their head, and they returned the
way they had come.
Ali Baba followed them with his eyes as far
as he could see them; and afterward stayed
a considerable time before he descended.
Remembering the words the captain of the robbers
used to cause the door to open and shut, he
had the curiosity to try if his pronouncing
them would have the same effect.
Accordingly, he went among the shrubs, and
perceiving the door concealed behind them,
stood before it, and said, "Open, Sesame!"
The door instantly flew wide open.
Ali Baba, who expected a dark, dismal cavern,
was surprised to see a well-lighted and spacious
chamber, which received the light from an
opening at the top of the rock, and in which
were all sorts of provisions, rich bales of
silk, stuff, brocade, and valuable carpeting,
piled upon one another; gold and silver ingots
in great heaps, and money in bags.
The sight of all these riches made him suppose
that this cave must have been occupied for
ages by robbers, who had succeeded one another.
Ali Baba went boldly into the cave, and collected
as much of the gold coin, which was in bags,
as he thought his three asses could carry.
When he had loaded them with the bags, he
laid wood over them in such a manner that
they could not be seen.
When he had passed in and out as often as
he wished, he stood before the door, and pronouncing
the words, "Shut, Sesame!" the door closed
of itself.
He then made the best of his way to town.
When Ali Baba got home, he drove his asses
into a little yard, shut the gates very carefully,
threw off the wood that covered the panniers,
carried the bags into his house, and ranged
them in order before his wife.
He then emptied the bags, which raised such
a great heap of gold as dazzled his wife's
eyes, and then he told her the whole adventure
from beginning to end, and, above all, recommended
her to keep it secret.
The wife rejoiced greatly in their good fortune,
and would count all the gold piece by piece.
"Wife," replied Ali Baba, "you do not know
what you undertake, when you pretend to count
the money; you will never have done.
I will dig a hole, and bury it.
There is no time to be lost."
"You are in the right, husband," replied she,
"but let us know, as nigh as possible, how
much we have.
I will borrow a small measure, and measure
it, while you dig the hole."
Away the wife ran to her brother-in-law Cassim,
who lived just by, and addressing herself
to his wife, desired her to lend her a measure
for a little while.
Her sister-in-law asked her whether she would
have a great or a small one.
The other asked for a small one.
She bade her stay a little, and she would
readily fetch one,
The sister-in-law did so, but as she knew
Ali Baba's poverty, she was curious to know
what sort of grain his wife wanted to measure,
and artfully putting some suet at the bottom
of the measure, brought it to her, with an
excuse that she was sorry that she had made
her stay so long, but that she could not find
it sooner.
Ali Baba's wife went home, set the measure
upon the heap of gold, filled it, and emptied
it often upon the sofa, till she had done,
when she was very well satisfied to find the
number of measures amounted to so many as
they did, and went to tell her husband, who
had almost finished digging the hole.
While Ali Baba was burying the gold, his wife,
to show her exactness and diligence to her
sister-in-law, carried the measure back again,
but without taking notice that a piece of
gold had stuck to the bottom.
"Sister," said she, giving it to her again,
"you see that I have not kept your measure long.
I am obliged to you for it, and return it
with thanks."
As soon as Ali Baba's wife was gone, Cassim's
looked at the bottom of the measure, and was
in inexpressible surprise to find a piece
of gold sticking to it.
Envy immediately possessed her breast.
"What!" said she, "has Ali Baba gold so plentiful
as to measure it?
Whence has he all this wealth?"
Cassim, her husband, was at his counting-house.
When he came home, his wife said to him, "Cassim,
I know you think yourself rich, but Ali Baba
is infinitely richer than you.
He does not count his money, but measures
it."
Cassim desired her to explain the riddle,
which she did, by telling him the stratagem
she had used to make the discovery, and showed
him the piece of money, which was so old that
they could not tell in what prince's reign
it was coined.
Cassim, after he had married the rich widow,
had never treated Ali Baba as a brother, but
neglected him; and now, instead of being pleased,
he conceived a base envy at his brother's prosperity.
He could not sleep all that night, and went
to him in the morning before sunrise.
"Ali Baba," said he, "I am surprised at you;
you pretend to be miserably poor, and yet
you measure gold.
My wife found this at the bottom of the measure
you borrowed yesterday."
By this discourse, Ali Baba perceived that
Cassim and his wife, through his own wife's
folly, knew what they had so much reason to
conceal; but what was done, could not be undone.
Therefore, without showing the least surprise
or trouble, he confessed all, and offered
his brother part of his treasure to keep the
secret.
"I expect as much," replied Cassim haughtily;
"but I must know exactly where this treasure
is, and how I may visit it myself when I choose;
otherwise, I will go and inform against you,
and then you will not only get no more, but
will lose all you have, and I shall have a
share for my information."
Ali Baba told him all he desired, even to
the very words he was to use to gain admission
into the cave.
Cassim rose the next morning long before the
sun, and set out for the forest with ten mules
bearing great chests, which he designed to
fill, and followed the road which Ali Baba
had pointed out to him,
and found out the place, by the tree and other
marks which his brother had given him.
When he reached the entrance of the cavern,
he pronounced the words, "Open, Sesame!"
The door immediately opened, and, when he
was in, closed upon him.
In examining the cave, he was in great admiration
to find much more riches than he had expected
from Ali Baba's relation.
He quickly laid as many bags of gold as he
could carry at the door of the cavern; but
his thoughts were so full of the great riches
he should possess, that he could not think
of the necessary word to make it open, but
instead of "Sesame," said, "Open, Barley!"
and was much amazed to find that the door
remained fast shut.
He named several sorts of grain, but still
the door would not open.
Cassim had never expected such an incident,
and was so alarmed at the danger he was in,
that the more he endeavoured to remember the
word "Sesame," the more his memory was confounded,
and he had as much forgotten it as if he had
never heard it mentioned.
He threw down the bags he had loaded himself
with, and walked distractedly up and down
the cave, without having the least regard
to the riches that were around him.
About noon the robbers visited their cave.
At some distance they saw Cassim's mules straggling
about the rock,
with great chests on their backs.
Alarmed at this, they galloped full speed
to the cave.
They drove away the mules, which strayed through
the forest so far, that they were soon out
of sight, and went directly, with their naked
sabres in their hands, to the door, which,
on their captain pronouncing the proper words,
immediately opened.
Cassim, who heard the noise of the horses'
feet, at once guessed the arrival of the robbers,
and resolved to make one effort for his life.
He rushed to the door, and no sooner saw the
door open, than he ran out and threw the leader
down, but could not escape the other robbers,
who with their scimitars soon deprived him of life.
The first care of the robbers after this was
to examine the cave.
They found all the bags which Cassim had brought
to the door, to be ready to load his mules,
and carried them again to their places, but
they did not miss what Ali Baba had taken
away before.
Then holding a council, and deliberating upon
this occurrence, they guessed that Cassim,
when he was in, could no get out again, but
could not imagine how he had learned the secret
words by which alone he could enter.
They could not deny the fact of his being
there; and to terrify any person or accomplice
who should attempt the same thing, they agreed
to cut Cassim's body into four quarters—to
hang two on one side, and two on the other,
within the door of the cave.
They had no sooner taken this resolution than
they put it in execution; and when they had
nothing more to detain them, left the place
of their hoards well closed.
They mounted their horses, went to beat the
roads again, and to attack the caravans they
might meet.
In the mean time, Cassim's wife was very uneasy
when night came, and her husband was not returned.
She ran to Ali Baba in great alarm, and said,
"I believe, brother-in-law, that you know
Cassim is gone to the forest, and upon what
account; it is now night, and he has not returned;
I am afraid some misfortune has happened to
him."
Ali Baba told her that she need not frighten
herself, for that certainly Cassim would not
think it proper to come into the town till
the night should be pretty far advanced.
Cassim's wife, considering how much it concerned
her husband to keep the business secret, was
the more easily persuaded to believe her brother-in-law.
She went home again, and waited patiently
till midnight.
Then her fear redoubled, and her grief was
the more sensible because she was forced to
keep it to herself.
She repented of her foolish curiosity, and
cursed her desire of prying into the affairs
of her brother and sister-in-law.
She spent all the night in weeping; and as
soon as it was day went to them, telling them,
by her tears, the cause of her coming.
Ali Baba did not wait for his sister-in-law
to desire him to go to see what was become
of Cassim, but departed immediately with his
three asses, begging of her first to moderate
her affliction.
He went to the forest, and when he came near
the rock, having seen neither his brother
nor the mules in his way, was seriously alarmed
at finding some blood spilt near the door,
which he took for an ill omen; but when he
had pronounced the word, and the door had
opened, he was struck with horror at the dismal
sight of his brother's body.
He was not long in determining how he should
pay the last dues to his brother; but without
adverting to the little fraternal affection
he had shown for him, went into the cave,
to find something to enshroud his remains;
and having loaded one of his asses with them,
covered them over with wood.
The other two asses he loaded with bags of
gold, covering them with wood also as before;
and then bidding the door shut, came away;
but was so cautious as to stop some time at
the end of the forest, that he might not go
into the town before night.
When he came home, he drove the two asses
loaded with gold into his little yard, and
left the care of unloading them to his wife,
while he led the other to his sister-in-law's house.
Ali Baba knocked at the door, which was opened
by Morgiana, a clever, intelligent slave,
who was fruitful in inventions to meet the
most difficult circumstances.
When he came into the court, he unloaded the
ass, and taking Morgiana aside, said to her,
"You must observe an inviolable secrecy.
Your master's body is contained in these two
panniers.
We must bury him as if he had died a natural
death.
Go now and tell your mistress.
I leave the matter to your wit and skilful
devices."
Ali Baba helped to place the body in Cassim's
house, again recommended to Morgiana to act
her part well, and then returned with his
ass.
Morgiana went out early the next morning to
a druggist, and asked for a sort of lozenge
which was considered efficacious in the most
dangerous disorders.
The apothecary inquired who was ill?
She replied, with a sigh, "Her good master
Cassim himself: and that he could neither
eat nor speak."
In the evening Morgiana went to the same druggist's
again, and with tears in her eyes, asked for
an essence which they used to give to sick
people only when at the last extremity.
"Alas!" said she, taking it from the apothecary,
"I am afraid that this remedy will have no
better effect than the lozenges; and that
I shall lose my good master."
On the other hand, as Ali Baba and his wife
were often seen to go between Cassim's and
their own house all that day, and to seem
melancholy, nobody was surprised in the evening
to hear the lamentable shrieks and cries of
Cassim's wife and Morgiana, who gave out everywhere
that her master was dead.
The next morning at daybreak Morgiana went
to an old cobbler whom she knew to be always
early at his stall, and bidding him good-morrow,
put a piece of gold into his hand, saying,
"Baba Mustapha, you must bring with you your
sewing tackle, and come with me; but I must
tell you, I shall blindfold you when you come
to such a place."
Baba Mustapha seemed to hesitate a little
at these words.
"Oh! oh!" replied he,
"you would have me do something
against my conscience, or against my honour?"
"God forbid," said Morgiana, putting another
piece of gold into his hand, "that I should
ask anything that is contrary to your honour!
only come along with me and fear nothing."
Baba Mustapha went with Morgiana, who, after
she had bound his eyes with a handkerchief
at the place she had mentioned, conveyed him
to her deceased master's house, and never
unloosed his eyes till he had entered the
room where she had put the corpse together.
"Baba Mustapha," said she, "you must make
haste and sew the parts of this body together;
and when you have done, I will give you another
piece of gold."
After Baba Mustapha had finished his task,
she blindfolded him again, gave him the third
piece of gold as she had promised, and recommending
secrecy to him carried him back to the place
where she first bound his eyes, pulled off
the bandage, and let him go home, but watched
him that he returned toward his stall, till
he was quite out of sight, for fear he should
have the curiosity to return and dodge her;
she then went home.
Morgiana, on her return, warmed some water
to wash the body, and at the same time
Ali Baba perfumed it with incense,
and wrapped it in the burying clothes with the accustomed ceremonies.
Not long after the proper officer brought
the bier, and when the attendants of the mosque,
whose business it was to wash the dead, offered
to perform their duty, she told them that
it was done already.
Shortly after this the imaun and the other
ministers of the mosque arrived.
Four neighbours carried the corpse to the
burying-ground, following the imaun, who recited
some prayers.
Ali Baba came after with some neighbours,
who often relieved the others in carrying
the bier to the burying-ground.
Morgiana, a slave to the deceased, followed
in the procession, weeping, beating her breast,
and tearing her hair.
Cassim's wife stayed at home mourning, uttering
lamentable cries with the women of the neighbourhood,
who came, according to custom, during the
funeral, and joining their lamentations with
hers filled the quarter far and near with
sounds of sorrow.
In this manner Cassim's melancholy death was
concealed and hushed up between Ali Baba,
his widow, and Morgiana, his slave, with so
much contrivance that nobody in the city had
the least knowledge or suspicion of the cause
of it.
Three or four days after the funeral, Ali
Baba removed his few goods openly to his sister-in-law's
house, in which it was agreed that he should
in future live; but the money he had taken
from the robbers he conveyed thither by night.
As for Cassim's warehouse, he entrusted it
entirely to the management of his eldest son.
While these things were being done, the forty robbers again visited
their retreat in the forest.
Great, then, was their surprise to find Cassim's
body taken away,
with some of their bags of gold.
"We are certainly discovered," said the captain.
"The removal of the body, and the loss of
some of our money, plainly shows that the
man whom we killed had an accomplice: and
for our own lives' sake we must try and find
him.
What say you, my lads?"
All the robbers unanimously approved of the
captain's proposal.
"Well," said the captain, "one of you, the
boldest and most skilful among you, must go
into the town, disguised as a traveller and
a stranger, to try if he can hear any talk
of the man whom we have killed, and endeavour
to find out who he was, and where he lived.
This is a matter of the first importance,
and for fear of any treachery, I propose that
whoever undertakes this business without success,
even though the failure arises only from an
error of judgment, shall suffer death."
Without waiting for the sentiments of his
companions, one of the robbers started up,
and said, "I submit to this condition, and
think it an honour to expose my life to serve
the troop."
After this robber had received great commendations
from the captain and his comrades, he disguised
himself so that nobody would take him for
what he was; and taking his leave of the troop
that night, went into the town just at daybreak;
and walked up and down, till accidentally
he came to Baba Mustapha's stall, which was
always open before any of the shops.
Baba Mustapha was seated with an awl in his
hand, just going to work.
The robber saluted him, bidding him good-morrow;
and perceiving that he was old, said, "Honest
man, you begin to work very early: is it possible
that one of your age can see so well?
I question, even if it were somewhat lighter,
whether you could see to stitch."
"You do not know me," replied Baba Mustapha;
"for old as I am, I have extraordinary good
eyes; and you will not doubt it when I tell
you that I sewed the body of a dead man together
in a place where I had not so much light as
I have now."
"A dead body!" exclaimed the robber, with
affected amazement.
"Yes, yes," answered Baba Mustapha, "I see
you want to have me speak out, but you shall
know no more."
The robber felt sure that he had discovered
what he sought.
He pulled out a piece of gold, and putting
it into Baba Mustapha's hand, said to him,
"I do not want to learn your secret, though
I can assure you
you might safely trust me with it.
The only thing I desire of you is to show
me the house
where you stitched up the dead body."
"If I were disposed to do you that favour,"
replied Baba Mustapha, "I assure you I cannot.
I was taken to a certain place, whence I was
led blindfold to the house, and afterward
brought back again in the same manner; you
see, therefore, the impossibility of my doing
what you desire."
"Well," replied the robber, "you may, however,
remember a little of the way that you were
led blindfold.
Come, let me blind your eyes at the same place.
We will walk together; perhaps you may recognise
some part; and as everybody ought to be paid
for their trouble, there is another piece
of gold for you; gratify me in what I ask you."
So saying, he put another piece of gold into
his hand.
The two pieces of gold were great temptations
to Baba Mustapha.
He looked at them a long time in his hand,
without saying a word, but at last he pulled
out his purse and put them in.
"I cannot promise," said he to the robber,
"that I can remember the way exactly; but
since you desire, I will try what I can do."
At these words Baba Mustapha rose up, to the
great joy of the robber, and led him to the
place where Morgiana had bound his eyes.
"It was here," said Baba Mustapha, "I was
blindfolded; and I turned this way."
The robber tied his handkerchief over his
eyes, and walked by him till he stopped directly
at Cassim's house, where Ali Baba then lived.
The thief, before he pulled off the band,
marked the door with a piece of chalk, which
he had ready in his hand, and then asked him
if he knew whose house that was; to which
Baba Mustapha replied that as he did not live
in that neighbourhood, he could not tell.
The robber, finding he could discover no more
from Baba Mustapha, thanked him for the trouble
he had taken, and left him to go back to his
stall, while he returned to the forest, persuaded
that he should be very well received.
A little after the robber and Baba Mustapha
had parted, Morgiana went out of Ali Baba's
house upon some errand, and upon her return,
seeing the mark the robber had made, stopped
to observe it.
"What can be the meaning of this mark?" said
she to herself; "somebody intends my master
no good: however, with whatever intention
it was done, it is advisable to guard against
the worst."
Accordingly, she fetched a piece of chalk,
and marked two or three doors on each side,
in the same manner, without saying a word
to her master or mistress.
In the mean time, the robber rejoined his
troop in the forest, and recounted to them
his success; expatiating upon his good fortune,
in meeting so soon with the only person who
could inform him of what he wanted to know.
All the robbers listened to him with the utmost
satisfaction; when the captain, after commending
his diligence, addressing himself to them
all, said, "Comrades, we have no time to lose:
let us set off well armed, without its appearing
who we are; but that we may not excite any
suspicion, let only one or two go into the
town together, and join at our rendezvous,
which shall be the great square.
In the mean time, our comrade who brought
us the good news and I will go and find out
the house, that we may consult what had best
be done."
This speech and plan was approved of by all,
and they were soon ready.
They filed off in parties of two each, after
some interval of time, and got into the town
without being in the least suspected.
The captain, and he who had visited the town
in the morning as spy, came in the last.
He led the captain into the street where he
had marked Ali Baba's residence; and when
they came to the first of the houses which
Morgiana had marked, he pointed it out.
But the captain observed that the next door
was chalked in the same manner and in the
same place; and showing it to his guide, asked
him which house it was, that, or the first.
The guide was so confounded, that he knew
not what answer to make; but still more puzzled,
when he and the captain saw five or six houses
similarly marked.
He assured the captain, with an oath, that
he had marked but one, and could not tell
who had chalked the rest, so that he could
not distinguish the house which the cobbler
had stopped at.
The captain, finding that their design had
proved abortive, went directly to the place
of meeting, and told his troop that they had
lost their labour, and must return to their
cave.
He himself set them the example, and they
all returned as they had come.
When the troop was all got together, the captain
told them the reason of their returning; and
presently the conductor was declared by all
worthy of death.
He condemned himself, acknowledging that he
ought to have taken better precaution, and
prepared to receive the stroke from him who
was appointed to cut off his head.
But as the safety of the troop required the
discovery of the second intruder into the
cave, another of the gang, who promised himself
that he should succeed better, presented himself,
and his offer being accepted, he went and
corrupted Baba Mustapha, as the other had
done; and being shown the house, marked it
in a place more remote from sight,
with red chalk.
Not long after, Morgiana, whose eyes nothing
could escape, went out, and seeing the red
chalk, and arguing with herself as she had
done before, marked the other neighbours'
houses in the same place and manner.
The robber, at his return to his company,
valued himself much on the precaution he had
taken, which he looked upon as an infallible
way of distinguishing Ali Baba's house from
the others; and the captain and all of them
thought it must succeed.
They conveyed themselves into the town with
the same precaution as before; but when the
robber and his captain came to the street,
they found the same difficulty; at which the
captain was enraged, and the robber in as
great confusion as his predecessor.
Thus the captain and his troop were forced
to retire a second time, and much more dissatisfied;
while the robber who had been the author of
the mistake underwent the same punishment,
to which he willingly submitted.
The captain, having lost two brave fellows
of his troop, was afraid of diminishing it
too much by pursuing this plan to get information
of the residence of their plunderer.
He found by their example that their heads
were not so good as their hands on such occasions;
and therefore resolved to take upon himself
the important commission.
Accordingly, he went and addressed himself
to Baba Mustapha, who did him the same service
he had done to the other robbers.
He did not set any particular mark on the
house, but examined and observed it so carefully,
by passing often by it, that it was impossible
for him to mistake it.
The captain, well satisfied with his attempt,
and informed of what he wanted to know, returned
to the forest; and when he came into the cave,
where the troop waited for him, said, "Now,
comrades, nothing can prevent our full revenge,
as I am certain of the house; and in my way
hither I have thought how to put it into execution,
but if any one can form a better expedient,
let him communicate it."
He then told them his contrivance; and as
they approved of it, ordered them to go into
the villages about, and buy nineteen mules,
with thirty-eight large leather jars, one
full of oil, and the others empty.
In two or three days' time the robbers had
purchased the mules and jars, and as the mouths
of the jars were rather too narrow for his
purpose, the captain caused them to be widened,
and after having put one of his men into each,
with the weapons which he thought fit, leaving
open the seam which had been undone to leave
them room to breathe, he rubbed the jars on
the outside with oil from the full vessel.
Things being thus prepared, when the nineteen
mules were loaded with thirty-seven robbers
in jars, and the jar of oil, the captain,
as their driver, set out with them, and reached
the town by the dusk of the evening, as he
had intended.
He led them through the streets, till he came
to Ali Baba's, at whose door he designed to
have knocked; but was prevented by his sitting
there after supper to take a little fresh air.
He stopped his mules, addressed himself to
him, and said, "I have brought some oil a
great way, to sell at tomorrow's market; and
it is now so late that I do not know where
to lodge.
If I should not be troublesome to you, do
me the favour to let me pass the night with
you, and I shall be very much obliged by your
hospitality."
Though Ali Baba had seen the captain of the
robbers in the forest, and had heard him speak,
it was impossible to know him in the disguise
of an oil merchant.
He told him he should be welcome, and immediately
opened his gates for the mules to go into
the yard.
At the same time he called to a slave, and
ordered him, when the mules were unloaded,
to put them into the stable, and to feed them;
and then went to Morgiana, to bid her get
a good supper for his guest.
After they had finished supper, Ali Baba,
charging Morgiana afresh to take care of his
guest, said to her, "To-morrow morning I design
to go to the bath before day; take care my
bathing linen be ready, give them to Abdalla
(which was the slave's name), and make me
some good broth against my return."
After this he went to bed.
In the mean time the captain of the robbers
went into the yard, and took off the lid of
each jar, and gave his people orders what
to do.
Beginning at the first jar, and so on to the
last, he said to each man: "As soon as I throw
some stones out of the chamber window where
I lie, do not fail to come out, and I will
immediately join you."
After this he returned into the house, when
Morgiana, taking up a light, conducted him
to his chamber, where she left him; and he,
to avoid any suspicion, put the light out
soon after, and laid himself down in his clothes,
that he might be the more ready to rise.
Morgiana, remembering Ali Baba's orders, got
his bathing linen ready, and ordered Abdalla
to set on the pot for the broth; but while
she was preparing it the lamp went out, and
there was no more oil in the house, nor any
candles.
What to do she did not know, for the broth
must be made.
Abdalla, seeing her very uneasy, said, "Do
not fret and tease yourself, but go into the
yard, and take some oil out of one of the
jars."
Morgiana thanked Abdalla for his advice, took
the oil-pot, and went into the yard; when,
as she came nigh the first jar, the robber
within said softly, "Is it time?"
Though naturally much surprised at finding
a man in the jar instead of the oil she wanted,
she immediately felt the importance of keeping
silence, as Ali Baba, his family, and herself
were in great danger; and collecting herself,
without showing the least emotion, she answered,
"Not yet, but presently."
She went quietly in this manner to all the
jars, giving the same answer, till she came
to the jar of oil.
By this means Morgiana found that her master
Ali Baba had admitted thirty-eight robbers
into his house, and that this pretended oil
merchant was their captain.
She made what haste she could to fill her
oil-pot, and returned into her kitchen, where,
as soon as she had lighted her lamp, she took
a great kettle, went again to the oil-jar,
filled the kettle, set it on a large wood
fire, and as soon as it boiled went and poured
enough into every jar to stifle and destroy
the robber within.
When this action, worthy of the courage of
Morgiana, was executed without any noise,
as she had projected, she returned into the
kitchen with the empty kettle; and having
put out the great fire she had made to boil
the oil, and leaving just enough to make the
broth, put out the lamp also, and remained
silent, resolving not to go to rest till she
had observed what might follow through a window
of the kitchen, which opened into the yard.
She had not waited long before the captain
of the robbers got up, opened the window,
and finding no light, and hearing no noise,
or any one stirring in the house, gave the
appointed signal, by throwing little stones,
several of which hit the jars, as he doubted
not by the sound they gave.
He then listened, but not hearing or perceiving
anything whereby he could judge that his companions
stirred, he began to grow very uneasy, threw
stones again a second and also a third time,
and could not comprehend the reason that none
of them should answer his signal.
Much alarmed, he went softly down into the
yard, and going to the first jar, while asking
the robber, whom he thought alive, if he was
in readiness, smelt the hot boiled oil, which
sent forth a steam out of the jar.
Hence he suspected that his plot to murder
Ali Baba, and plunder his house, was discovered.
Examining all the jars, one after another,
he found that all his gang were dead; and,
enraged to despair at having failed in his
design, he forced the lock of a door that
led from the yard to the garden, and climbing
over the walls made his escape.
When Morgiana saw him depart, she went to
bed, satisfied and pleased to have succeeded
so well in saving her master and family.
Ali Baba rose before day, and, followed by
his slave, went to the baths, entirely ignorant
of the important event which had happened
at home.
When he returned from the baths, he was very
much surprised to see the oil-jars, and that
the merchant was not gone with the mules.
He asked Morgiana, who opened the door, the
reason of it.
"My good master," answered she, "God preserve
you and all your family.
You will be better informed of what you wish
to know when you have seen what I have to
show you, if you will follow me."
As soon as Morgiana had shut the door, Ali
Baba followed her, when she requested him
to look into the first jar, and see if there
was any oil.
Ali Baba did so, and seeing a man, started
back in alarm, and cried out.
"Do not be afraid," said Morgiana "the man
you see there can neither do you nor anybody
else any harm.
He is dead."
"Ah, Morgiana," said Ali Baba, "what is it
you show me?
Explain yourself."
"I will," replied Morgiana.
"Moderate your astonishment, and do not excite
the curiosity of your neighbours; for it is
of great importance to keep this affair secret.
Look into all the other jars."
Ali Baba examined all the other jars, one
after another; and when he came to that which
had the oil in it, found it prodigiously sunk,
and stood for some time motionless, sometimes
looking at the jars, and sometimes at Morgiana,
without saying a word, so great was his surprise.
At last, when he had recovered himself, he
said, "And what is become of the merchant?"
"Merchant!" answered she; "he is as much one
as I am.
I will tell you who he is, and what is become
of him; but you had better hear the story
in your own chamber; for it is time for your
health that you had your broth after your
bathing."
Morgiana then told him all she had done, from
the first observing the mark upon the house,
to the destruction of the robbers, and the
flight of their captain.
On hearing of these brave deeds from the lips
of Morgiana, Ali Baba said to her—"God,
by your means, has delivered me from the snares
these robbers laid for my destruction.
I owe, therefore, my life to you; and, for
the first token of my acknowledgment, give
you your liberty from this moment, till I
can complete your recompense as I intend."
Ali Baba's garden was very long, and shaded
at the further end by a great number of large
trees.
Near these he and the slave Abdalla dug a
trench, long and wide enough to hold the bodies
of the robbers; and as the earth was light,
they were not long in doing it.
When this was done, Ali Baba hid the jars
and weapons; and as he had no occasion for
the mules, he sent them at different times
to be sold in the market by his slave.
While Ali Baba took these measures, the captain
of the forty robbers returned to the forest
with inconceivable mortification.
He did not stay long; the loneliness of the
gloomy cavern became frightful to him.
He determined, however, to avenge the fate
of his companions, and to accomplish the death
of Ali Baba.
For this purpose he returned to the town,
and took a lodging in a khan, and disguised
himself as a merchant in silks.
Under this assumed character, he gradually
conveyed a great many sorts of rich stuffs
and fine linen to his lodging from the cavern,
but with all the necessary precautions to
conceal the place whence he brought them.
In order to dispose of the merchandise, when
he had thus amassed them together, he took
a warehouse, which happened to be opposite
to Cassim's, which Ali Baba's son had occupied
since the death of his uncle.
He took the name of Cogia Houssain, and, as
a new-comer, was, according to custom, extremely
civil and complaisant to all the merchants
his neighbours.
Ali Baba's son was, from his vicinity, one
of the first to converse with Cogia Houssain,
who strove to cultivate his friendship more
particularly.
Two or three days after he was settled, Ali
Baba came to see his son, and the captain
of the robbers recognised him at once, and
soon learned from his son who he was.
After this he increased his assiduities, caressed
him in the most engaging manner, made him
some small presents, and often asked him to
dine and sup with him, when he treated him
very handsomely.
Ali Baba's son did not choose to lie under
such obligation to Cogia Houssain; but was
so much straitened for want of room in his
house, that he could not entertain him.
He therefore acquainted his father, Ali Baba,
with his wish to invite him in return.
Ali Baba with great pleasure took the treat
upon himself.
"Son," said he, "tomorrow being Friday, which
is a day that the shops of such great merchants
as Cogia Houssain and yourself are shut, get
him to accompany you, and
as you pass by my door, call in. I will go and order Morgiana to provide a supper."
The next day Ali Baba's son and Cogia Houssain
met by appointment, took their walk, and as
they returned, Ali Baba's son led Cogia Houssain
through the street where his father lived,
and when they came to the house, stopped and
knocked at the door.
"This, sir," said he, "is my father's house,
who, from the account I have given him of
your friendship, charged me to procure him
the honour of your acquaintance; and I desire
you to add this pleasure to those for which
I am already indebted to you."
Though it was the sole aim of Cogia Houssain
to introduce himself into Ali Baba's house,
that he might kill him, without hazarding
his own life or making any noise, yet he excused
himself, and offered to take his leave; but
a slave having opened the door, Ali Baba's
son took him obligingly by the hand, and,
in a manner, forced him in.
Ali Baba received Cogia Houssain with a smiling
countenance, and in the most obliging manner
he could wish.
He thanked him for all the favours he had
done his son; adding withal, the obligation
was the greater, as he was a young man, not
much acquainted with the world, and that he
might contribute to his information.
Cogia Houssain returned the compliment by
assuring Ali Baba that though his son might
not have acquired the experience of older
men, he had good sense equal to the experience
of many others.
After a little more conversation on different
subjects, he offered again to take his leave,
when Ali Baba, stopping him, said, "Where
are you going, sir, in so much haste?
I beg you would do me the honour to sup with
me, though my entertainment may not be worthy
your acceptance; such as it is, I heartily
offer it."
"Sir," replied Cogia Houssain, "I am thoroughly
persuaded of your good-will; but the truth
is, I can eat no victuals that have any salt
in them; therefore judge how I should feel
at your table."
"If that is the only reason," said Ali Baba,
"it ought not to deprive me of the honour
of your company; for, in the first place,
there is no salt ever put into my bread, and
as to the meat we shall have to-night, I promise
you there shall be none in that.
Therefore you must do me the favour to stay.
I will return immediately."
Ali Baba went into the kitchen, and ordered
Morgiana to put no salt to the meat that was
to be dressed that night; and to make quickly
two or three ragouts besides what he had ordered,
but be sure to put no salt in them.
Morgiana, who was always ready to obey her
master, could not help being surprised at
his strange order.
"Who is this strange man," said she, "who
eats no salt with his meat?
Your supper will be spoiled, if I keep it
back so long."
"Do not be angry, Morgiana," replied Ali Baba;
"he is an honest man, therefore do as I bid you."
Morgiana obeyed, though with no little reluctance,
and had a curiosity to see this man who ate
no salt.
To this end, when she had finished what she
had to do in the kitchen, she helped Abdalla
to carry up the dishes; and looking at Cogia
Houssain, knew him at first sight, notwithstanding
his disguise, to be the captain of the robbers,
and examining him very carefully, perceived
that he had a dagger under his garment.
"I am not in the least amazed," said she to
herself, "that this wicked man, who is my
master's greatest enemy, would eat no salt
with him, since he intends to assassinate
him; but I will prevent him."
Morgiana, while they were at supper, determined
in her own mind to execute one of the boldest
acts ever meditated.
When Abdalla came for the dessert of fruit,
and had put it with the wine and glasses before
Ali Baba, Morgiana retired, dressed herself
neatly, with a suitable head-dress like a
dancer, girded her waist with a silver-gilt
girdle, to which there hung a poniard with
a hilt and guard of the same metal, and put
a handsome mask on her face.
When she had thus disguised herself, she said
to Abdalla, "Take your tabour, and let us
go and divert our master and his son's friend,
as we do sometimes when he is alone."
Abdalla took his tabour and played all the
way into the hall before Morgiana, who, when
she came to the door, made a low obeisance
by way of asking leave to exhibit her skill,
while Abdalla left off playing.
"Come in, Morgiana," said Ali Baba, "and let
Cogia Houssain see what you can do, that he
may tell us what he thinks of your performance."
Cogia Houssain, who did not expect this diversion
after supper, began to fear he should not
be able to take advantage of the opportunity
he thought he had found; but hoped, if he
now missed his aim, to secure it another time,
by keeping up a friendly correspondence with
the father and son; therefore, though he could
have wished Ali Baba would have declined the
dance, he pretended to be obliged to him for
it, and had the complaisance to express his
satisfaction at what he said, which pleased
his host.
As soon as Abdalla saw that Ali Baba and Cogia
Houssain had done talking, he began to play
on the tabour, and accompanied it with an
air, to which Morgiana, who was an excellent
performer, danced in such a manner as would
have created admiration in any company.
After she had danced several dances with much
grace, she drew the poniard, and holding it
in her hand, began a dance, in which she outdid
herself by the many different figures, light
movements, and the surprising leaps and wonderful
exertions with which she accompanied it.
Sometimes she presented the poniard to one
breast, sometimes to another, and oftentimes
seemed to strike her own.
At last, she snatched the tabour from Abdalla
with her left hand, and holding the dagger
in her right presented the other side of the
tabour, after the manner of those who get
a livelihood by dancing, and solicit the liberality
of the spectators.
Ali Baba put a piece of gold into the tabour,
as did also his son; and Cogia Houssain seeing
that she was coming to him, had pulled his
purse out of his bosom to make her a present;
but while he was putting his hand into it,
Morgiana, with a courage and resolution worthy
of herself, plunged the poniard into his heart.
Ali Baba and his son, shocked at this action,
cried out aloud.
"Unhappy woman!"
exclaimed Ali Baba, "what have you done to
ruin me and my family?"
"It was to preserve, not to ruin you," answered
Morgiana; "for see here," continued she, opening
the pretended Cogia Houssain's garment, and
showing the dagger,
"what an enemy you had entertained?
Look well at him, and you will find him to
be both the fictitious oil merchant, and the
captain of the gang of forty robbers.
Remember, too, that he would eat no salt with
you; and what would you have more to persuade
you of his wicked design?
Before I saw him, I suspected him as soon
as you told me you had such a guest.
I knew him, and you now find that my suspicion
was not groundless."
Ali Baba, who immediately felt the new obligation
he had to Morgiana for saving his life a second
time, embraced her: "Morgiana," said he, "I
gave you your liberty, and then promised you
that my gratitude should not stop there, but
that I would soon give you higher proofs of
its sincerity, which I now do by making you
my daughter-in-law."
Then addressing himself to his son, he said,
"I believe you, son, to be so dutiful a child,
that you will not refuse Morgiana for your
wife.
You see that Cogia Houssain sought your friendship
with a treacherous design to take away my
life; and if he had succeeded, there is no
doubt but he would have sacrificed you also
to his revenge.
Consider, that by marrying Morgiana you marry
the preserver of my family and your own,"
The son, far from showing any dislike, readily
consented to the marriage; not only because
he would not disobey his father, but also
because it was agreeable to his inclination.
After this they thought of burying the captain
of the robbers with his comrades, and did
it so privately that nobody discovered their
bones till many years after, when no one had
any concern in the publication of this remarkable
history.
A few days afterward, Ali Baba celebrated
the nuptials of his son and Morgiana with
great solemnity, a sumptuous feast, and the
usual dancing and spectacles; and had the
satisfaction to see that his friends and neighbours,
whom he invited, had no knowledge of the true
motives of the marriage; but that those who
were not unacquainted with Morgiana's good
qualities commended his generosity and goodness
of heart Ali Baba did not visit the robbers'
cave for a whole year, as he supposed the
other two, whom he could get no account of,
might be alive.
At the year's end, when he found they had
not made any attempt to disturb him, he had
the curiosity to make another journey.
He mounted his horse, and when he came to
the cave he alighted, tied his horse to a
tree, then approaching the entrance, and pronouncing
the words, "Open, Sesame!" the door opened.
He entered the cavern, and by the condition
he found things in, judged that nobody had
been there since the captain had fetched the
goods for his shop.
From this time he believed he was the only
person in the world who had the secret of
opening the cave, and that all the treasure
was at his sole disposal.
He put as much gold into his saddle-bag as
his horse would carry, and returned to town.
Some years later he carried his son to the
cave and taught him the secret,
which he handed down to his posterity,
who, using their good fortune with moderation,
lived in great honour and splendour.
