Anonymous

“ Morgiana was now convinced that this was a plot of the robbers to murder her master Ali Baba; so she ran back to the kitchen, and brought out a large kettle, which she filled with oil, and set it on a great wood fire; and as soon as it boiled, she went and poured into the jars sufficient of the boiling oil to kill every man within them.
Having done this, she put out her fire, and her lamp, and crept softly to her chamber.
The captain of the robbers, hearing every thing quiet in the house, and perceiving no light any where, arose and went down into the yard to assemble his men. ”

“ The horsemen soon galloped up to the rock, where they all dismounted. Ali Baba counted forty of them, and he could not doubt but they were thieves, by their ill-looking countenances. They each took a loaded portmanteau from his horse, and he who seemed to be their captain, turning to the rock, said. Open Sesame, and immediately a door opened in the rock, and all the robbers passed in, when the door shut of itself. In a short time the door opened again, and the forty robbers came out, followed by their captain: who said, Shut Sesame. ”

“ His wife, delighted with possessing so much money, wanted to count it; but finding it would take up too much time, she was resolved to measure it; and running to the house of Ali Baba’s brother, she entreated them to lend her a small measure.
Cassim’s wife was very proud and envious: “I wonder,” said she to herself, “what sort of grain such poor people can have to measure; but I am determined I will find out what they are doing.” So before she gave the measure, she artfully rubbed the bottom with some suet.
Away ran Ali Baba’s wife, measured her money ”

“ He then returned to the forest and ordered his troop to go into the town, and buy nineteen mules and thirty-eight large jars, one full of oil, and the rest empty.
In two or three days the jars were bought, and all things in readiness, and the captain having put a man into each jar properly armed, the jars being rubbed on the outside with oil, and the covers having holes bored in them for the men to breathe through, loaded his mules, and in the habit of an oil-merchant, entered the town in the dusk of the evening. ”

“ He proceeded to the street where Ala Baba dwelt, and found him sitting in the porch of his house. “Sir, said he to Ali Baba, “I have brought this oil a great way to sell, and am too late for this day's market, as I am quite a stranger in this town, will you do me the favour to let me put my mules into your court-yard, and direct me where I may lodge to night?” ”

“ After an interval of some months, the troop of robbers again visited their retreat in the forest, and were completely astonished to find the body taken away from the cave, and every thing else remaining in its usual order. “We are discovered," said the captain, “and shall certainly be undone if we do not adopt speedy measures to prevent our ruin. ”

“ He arrived there about day-break, and found the cobbler Mustapha in his stall, which was always open before any shop in the town.
“Good morrow, friend”, said the robber, as he passed the stall, “you rise betimes: I should think, old as you are, you could scarcely see to work by this light.” ”