of their plunderer. He found by their example that their heads
were not so good as their hands on such occasions; and therefore
resolved to take upon himself the important commission. Accordingly, he
went and addressed himself to Baba Mustapha, who did him the same
service he had done to the other robbers. He did not set any particular
mark on the house, but examined and observed it so carefully, by
passing often by it, that it was impossible for him to mistake it.

The captain, well satisfied with his attempt, and informed of what he
wanted to know, returned to the forest; and when he came into the cave,
where the troop waited for him, said: "Now, comrades, nothing can
prevent our full revenge, as I am certain of the house, and in my way
hither I have thought how to put it into execution, but if any one can
form a better expedient, let him communicate it." He then told them his
contrivance; and as they approved of it, ordered them to go into the
villages about, and buy nineteen mules, with thirty-eight large leather
jars, one full of oil, and the others empty. In two or three days' time
the robbers had purchased the mules and jars, and as the mouths of the
jars were rather too narrow for his purpose, the captain caused them to
be widened; and after having put one of his men into each, with the
weapons which he thought fit, leaving open the seam which had been
undone to leave them room to breathe, he rubbed the jars on the outside
with oil from the full vessel. 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 favour 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 hardly possible to know him in the disguise
of an oil-merchant. He told him he should be welcome, and immediately
opened his g