his satisfaction at what he saw, which pleased his host.

As soon as Abdalla saw that Ali Baba and Cogia 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 company.

After she had danced several dances with much 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 breast,
sometimes to another, and oftentimes seemed to strike her own. At
last she snatched the tabor from Abdalla 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 Cogia 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 woman!" 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
Cogia Houssain's garment, and showing the dagger, "what an enemy
you had entertained! Look well at him, and you will find him to be