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248 |
THE FORTY THIEVES |
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gang were dead, and, missing the oil out of the last jar, became aware of the manner of their death. He then forced the lock of a door leading into a garden, and climbing over several walls made
. his escape. Morgiana ■g±-1/^/~'\ r f^hCF\ beard and saw all this,
and, rejoicing at her success, went to bed and fell asleep.
At daybreak Ali Baba arose, and, seeing the oil jars there still, asked why the merchant had not gone with his mules. Morgiana bade him look in the first jar and see if there was any oil. Seeing a man, he started back in terror. ' Have no fear,' said Morgiana; ' the man cannot harm you : he is dead.' Ali Baba, when he had recovered somewhat from his astonishment, asked what had become of the merchant. ' Merchant!' said she, ' he is no more a merchant than I am ! ' and she told him the whole story, assuring him that it was a plot of the robbers of the forest, of whom only three were left, and that the white and red chalk marks had something to do with it. Ali Baba at once gave Morgiana her freedom, saying that he owed her his life. They then buried the bodies in Ali Baba's garden, while the mules were sold in the market by his slaves.
The Captain returned to his lonely cave, which seemed frightful to him without his lost companions, and firmly resolved to avenge them by killing Ali Baba. He dressed himself carefully, and went into the town, where he took lodgings in an inn. In the course of a great many journeys to the forest he carried away many rich stuffs and much line linen, and set up a shop opposite that of Ali Baba's son. He called himself Cogia Hassan, and as he was both
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