Short Stories Old and New by Unknown
page 49 of 339 (14%)
page 49 of 339 (14%)
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bade him welcome. He opened his gates for the mules to go into the yard,
and ordered a slave to put them in a stable and feed them when they were unloaded, and then called Morgiana to get a good supper for his guest. After supper he charged her afresh to take good care of the stranger, and said to her:-- "To-morrow morning I intend to go to the bath before day; take care to have my bathing linen ready; give it to Abdalla" (which was his 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 told his people what they must do. To each, in turn, he said:-- "As soon as I throw some stones out of the chamber window where I lie, do not fail to come out, and I will join you at once." Then he went into the house, and Morgiana showed him his chamber, where he soon put out the light, and laid himself down in his clothes. To carry out Ali Baba's orders, Morgiana got his bathing linen ready, and bade Abdalla to set on the pot for the broth; but soon the lamp went out, and there was no more oil in the house, nor any candles. She knew not what to do, till the slave reminded her of the oil-jars in the yard. She thanked him for the thought, took the oil-pot, and went out. When she came nigh the first jar, the robber within said softly: "Is it time?" Of course she was surprised to find a man in the jar instead of the oil, |
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