The Junior Classics, Volume 5: Stories that never grow old
General
The Junior Classics, Volume 5: Stories that never grow old
Children's literature
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 to-morrow'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 favor 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 to 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 I return." After
this he went to bed.
In the meantime the captain of the robbers went into the yard,
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?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account