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 fine
linen, and set up a shop opposite that of Ali Baba's son. He called
himself Cogia Hassan, and as he was both civil and well dressed he
soon made friends with Ali Baba's son, and through him with Ali Baba,
whom he was continually asking to sup with him. Ali Baba, wishing to
return his kindness, invited him into his house and received him
smiling, thanking him for his kindness to his son. When the merchant
was about to take his leave Ali Baba stopped him, saying: "Where are
you going, sir, in such haste? Will you not stay and sup with me?" The
merchant refused, saying that he had a reason; and on Ali Baba's
asking him what that was, he replied: "It is, sir, that I can eat no
victuals that have any salt in them." "If that is all," said Ali Baba,
"let me tell you that there shall be no salt in either the meat or the
bread that we eat to-night." He went to give this order to Morgiana,
who was much surprised. "Who is this man," she said, "who eats no salt
with his meat?" "He is an honest man, Morgiana," returned her master;
"therefore do as I bid you." But she could not withstand a desire to
see this strange man, so she helped Abdallah to carry up the dishes,
and saw in a moment that Cogia Hassan was the robber Captain, and
carried a dagger under his garment. "I am not surprised," she said to
herself, "that this wicked man, who intends to kill my master, will
eat no salt with him; but I will hinder his plans."

She sent up the supper by Abdallah, while she made ready for one of
the boldest acts that could be thought on. When the dessert had been
served, Cogia Hassan was left alone with Ali Baba and his son, whom he
thought to make drunk and then to murder them. Morgiana, meanwhile,
put on a head-dress like a dancing-girl's, and clasped a girdle round
her waist, from which hung a dagger with a silver hilt, and said to
Abdallah: "Take your tabor, and let us go and divert our master and
his guest." Abdallah took his tabor and played before Morgiana until
they came to the door, where Abdallah stopped playing and Morgiana
made a low courtesy. "Come in, Morgiana," said Ali Baba, "and let
Cogia Hassan see what you can do." And, turning to Cogia Hassan, he
said: "She's my slave and my housekeeper." Cogia Hassan was by no
means pleased, for he feared that his c