without any noise, 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, whilst 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 the members of his gang were dead; and by the
oil he missed out of the last jar guessed the means and manner of their
death. 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 heard no noise, and found, after waiting some time, that
the captain did not return, she concluded that he had chosen rather to
make his escape by the garden than the street door, which was
double-locked. Satisfied and pleased to have succeeded so well, in
saving her master and family, she went to bed.
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; for
Morgiana had not thought it safe to wake him before, for fear of losing
her opportunity; and after her successful exploit she thought it
needless to disturb him.
When he returned from the baths, the sun was risen; 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, and had let all
things stand as they were, that he might see them, 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 but give yourself the trouble to 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. Look into all the other jars."
Ali Baba examined all the other jars, and when he came to that which had
the oil in, 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."
While Ali Baba retired to his chamber, Morgiana went into the kitchen to
fetch the broth, but before he would drink it, he first entreated her to
satisfy his impatience, and tell him what had happened, with all the
circumstances; and she obeyed him.
"This," she said, when she had completed her story, "is the account you
asked of me; and I am convinced it is the consequence of what I observed
some days ago, but did not think fit to acquaint you with; for when I
came in one morning early I found our street door marked with white
chalk, and the next morning with red; upon which, both times without
knowing what was the intention of those chalks, I marked two or three
neighbours' doors on each side in the same manner. If you reflect on
this, and what has since happened, you will find it to be a plot of the
robbers of the forest, of whose gang there are two wanting, and now they
are reduced to three: all this shows that they had sworn your
destruction, and it is proper you should be upon your guard, while there
is one of them alive: for my part, I shall neglect nothing necessary to
your preservation, as I am in duty bound."
When Morgiana had left off speaking, Ali Baba was so sensible of the
great service she had done him, that he said to her: "I will not die
without rewarding you as you deserve; I owe 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. I am persuaded
with you, that the forty robbers have laid snares for my destruction.
God, by your means, has delivered me from them as yet, and I hope will
continue to preserve me from their wicked designs, and deliver the world
from their persecution. All that we have to do is to bury the bodies of
these pests of mankind immediately, and with all the secrecy imaginable,
that nobody may suspect what is become of them. But that labour
Abdoollah and I will undertake."
Ali Baba's garden was very long, and shaded at the farther end by a
great number of large trees. Under these he and the slave dug a trench,
long and wide enough to hold all the robbers. Afterward they lifted the
bodies out of the jars, took away their weapons, carried them to the end
of the garden, laid them in the trench, and levelled the ground again.
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 to prevent the public from knowing
how he came by his riches in so short a time, the captain of the forty
robbers returned to the forest with inconceivable mortification; and in
his confusion at his ill success, so contrary to what he had promised
himself, entered the cave, not being able, all the way from the town, to
come to any resolution how to revenge himself of Ali Baba.
The loneliness of the gloomy cavern became frightful to him. "Where are
you, my brave lads," cried he, "old companions of my watchings, inroads,
and labour? What can I do without you? Did I collect you only to lose
you by so base a fate, and so unworthy of your courage! Had you died
with your sabres in your hands, like brave men, my regret had been less!
When shall I enlist so gallant a troop again? And if I could, can I
undertake it without exposing so much gold and treasure to him who hath
already enriched himself out of it? I cannot, I ought not to think of
it, before I have taken away his life. I will undertake that alone,
which I could not accomplish with your powerful assistance; and when I
have taken measures to secure this treasure from being pillaged, I will
provide for it new masters and successors after me, who shall preserve
and augment it to all posterity." This resolution being taken, he was
not at a loss how to execute his purpose; but full of hopes, slept all
that night very quietly.
When he awoke early next morning, he dressed himself, agreeably to the
project he had formed, went to the town, and took a lodging in a khan.
As he expected what had happened at Ali Baba's might make a great noise,
he asked his host what news there was in the city? Upon which the
innkeeper told him a great many circumstances, which did not concern him
in the least. He judged by this, that the reason why Ali Baba kept his
affairs so secret, was for fear people should know where the treasure
lay; and because he knew his life would be sought on account of it. This
urged him the more to neglect nothing to rid himself of so cautious an
enemy.
The captain now assumed the character of a merchant, and conveyed
gradually a great many sorts of rich stuffs and fine linen to his
lodging from the cavern, but with all the necessary precautions
imaginable to conceal the place whence he brought them. In order to
dispose of the merchandise, when he had 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 Khaujeh Houssain, and as a newcomer, 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 Khaujeh Houssain, who strove to cultivate his friendship
more particularly when, two or three days after he was settled, he
recognised Ali Baba, who came to see his son, and stopped to talk with
him as he was accustomed to do. When he was gone, the impostor learnt
from his son who he was. 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.
Ali Baba's son did not choose to lie under such obligation to Khaujeh
Houssain, without making the like return; but was so much straitened for
want of room in his house, that he could not entertain him so well as he
wished; he therefore acquainted his father Ali Baba with his intention,
and told him that it did not look well for him to receive such favours
from Khaujeh Houssain without inviting him in return.
Ali Baba, with great pleasure, took the treat upon himself. "Son," said
he, "to-morrow being Friday, which is a day that the shops of such great
merchants as Khaujeh Houssain and yourself are shut, get him to take a
walk with you, and as you come back, pass by my door and call in. It
will look better to have it happen accidentally, than if you gave him a
formal invitation. I will go and order Morgiana to provide a supper."
The next day Ali Baba's son and Khaujeh Houssain met by appointment,
took their walk, and as they returned, Ali Baba's son led Khaujeh
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."
Though it was the sole aim of Khaujeh 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 Khaujeh Houssain with a smiling countenance, and in
the most obliging manner. 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.
Khaujeh 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 knowledge 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
what I have to give you is not worth your acceptance; but such as it is,
I hope you will accept it as heartily as I give it." "Sir," replied
Khaujeh Houssain, "I am thoroughly persuaded of your good will; and if I
ask the favour of you not to take it ill that I do not accept your
obliging invitation, I beg of you to believe that it does not proceed
from any slight or intention to affront, but from a reason which you
would approve if you knew it.
"And what may that reason be, sir," replied Ali Baba, "if I may be so
bold as to ask you?" "It is," answered Khaujeh Houssain, "that 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 at supper; 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
seeming somewhat dissatisfied at his strange order. "Who is this
difficult 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 Abdoollah to carry up the
dishes; and looking at Khaujeh 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 wretch, 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 eating, made the necessary preparations for
executing one of the boldest acts ever meditated, and had just
determined, when Abdoollah came for the dessert of fruit, which she
carried up, and as soon as he had taken the meat away, set upon the
table; after that, she placed three glasses by Ali Baba, and going out,
took Abdoollah with her to sup, and to give Ali Baba the more liberty of
conversation with his guest.
Khaujeh Houssain, or rather the captain of the robbers, thought he had
now a favourable opportunity of being revenged on Ali Baba. "I will,"
said he to himself, "make the father and son both drunk: the son, whose
life I intend to spare, will not be able to prevent my stabbing his
father to the heart; and while the slaves are at supper, or asleep in
the kitchen, I can make my escape over the gardens as before."
Instead of going to supper, Morgiana, who had penetrated the intentions
of the counterfeit Khaujeh Houssain, would not give him time to put his
villainous design into execution, but 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 Abdoollah: "Take your tabor, and let us go and
divert our master and his son's guest, as we do sometimes when he is
alone."
Abdoollah took his tabor and played all the way into the hall before
Morgiana, who when she came to the door made a low obeisance, with a
deliberate air, in order to draw attention, and by way of asking leave
to exhibit her skill. Abdoollah, seeing that his master had a mind to
say something, left off playing. "Come in, Morgiana," said Ali Baba,
"and let Khaujeh Houssain see what you can do, that he may tell us what
he thinks of you. But, sir," said he, turning toward his guest, "do not
think that I put myself to any expense to give you this diversion, since
these are my slave and my cook and housekeeper; and I hope you will not
find the entertainment they give us disagreeable."
Khaujeh Houssain, who did not expect this diversion after supper, began
to fear he should not be able to improve 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 had the complaisance to express his satisfaction at what he
saw pleased his host.
As soon as Abdoollah saw that Ali Baba and Khaujeh Houssain had done
talking, he began to play on the tabor, 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 other company besides
that before which she now exhibited, among whom, perhaps, none but the
false Khaujeh Houssain was in the least attentive to her, the rest
having seen her so frequently.
After she had danced several dances with equal propriety and 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 person's breast,
sometimes to another's, and oftentimes seemed to strike her own. At
last, as if she was out of breath, she snatched the tabor from Abdoollah
with her left hand, and holding the dagger in her right, presented the
other side of the tabor, 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 tabor, as did also his son: and
Khaujeh 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 wretch!" 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 Khaujeh 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 Khaujeh 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 forbore, after this marriage, from going again to the robbers'
cave, as he had done, for fear of being surprised, from the time he had
brought away his brother Cassim's mangled remains. He had kept away
after the death of the thirty-seven robbers and their captain, supposing
the other two, whom he could get no account of, might be alive.
At the year's end, when he found that they had not made any attempt to
disturb him, he had the curiosity to make another journey, taking the
necessary precautions for his safety. He mounted his horse, and when he
came to the cave, and saw no footsteps of men or beasts, looked upon it
as a good sign. 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 false Khaujeh Houssain, when he had
fetched the goods for his shop; that the gang of forty robbers was
completely destroyed, and no longer doubted that he was the only person
in the world who had the secret of opening the cave, so that all the
treasure was at his sole disposal. Having brought with him a wallet, he
put into it as much gold as his horse would carry, and returned to town.
Afterward Ali Baba carried his son to the cave, and taught him the
secret, which they handed down to their posterity, who, using their good
fortune with moderation, lived in great honour and splendour.
THE HISTORY OF CODADAD AND HIS BROTHERS
There formerly reigned in the city of Harran a most magnificent and
potent sultan, who loved his subjects, and was equally beloved by them.
He was endued with all virtues, and wanted nothing to complete his
happiness but an heir. He continually prayed to Heaven for a child; and
one night in his sleep, a prophet appeared to him and said: "Your
prayers are heard; you have obtained what you have desired; rise as soon
as you awake, go to your prayers, and make two genuflexions; then walk
into the garden of your palace, call your gardener, and bid him bring
you a pomegranate; eat as many of the seeds as you please, and your
wishes shall be accomplished."
The sultan calling to mind his dream when he awoke, returned thanks to
Heaven, got up, prayed, made two genuflexions, and then went into his
garden, where he took fifty pomegranate seeds, which he counted, and
ate. Some time afterward forty-nine of his wives presented him with
sons, each one as vigorous as a young palm-tree, but Pirouzè, the
fiftieth wife, remained childless. The sultan, therefore, took an
aversion to this lady and would have had her put to death had not his
vizier prevented him, advising rather that she be sent to Samaria, to
her brother, Sultan Samer, with orders that she be well treated.
Not long after Pirouzè had been retired to her brother's country, a most
beautiful prince was born to her. The prince of Samaria wrote
immediately to the sultan of Harran, to acquaint him with the birth of a
son, and to congratulate him on the occasion. The sultan was much
rejoiced at this intelligence, and answered Prince Samer as follows:
"Cousin, all my other wives have each presented me with a prince. I
desire you to educate the child of Pirouzè, to give him the name of
Codadad, and to send him to me when I may apply for him."