se, gave the appointed signal, by throwing
little stones, several of which hit the jars, as he doubted not by the
sound they gave. He then listened, but not hearing or perceiving
anything whereby he could judge that his companions stirred, he began
to grow very uneasy, threw stones again a second and also a third
time, and could not comprehend the reason that none of them should
answer his signal. Much alarmed, he went softly down into the yard,
and going to the first jar, while asking the robber, whom he thought
alive, if he was in readiness, smelt the hot boiled oil, which sent
forth a steam out of the jar. Hence he knew that his plot to murder
Ali Baba and plunder his house was discovered. Examining all the jars,
one after another, he found that all his gang were dead; and, enraged
to despair at having failed in his design, he forced the lock of a
door that led from the yard to the garden, and climbing over the walls
made his escape.

When Morgiana saw him depart, she went to bed, satisfied and pleased
to have succeeded so well in saving her master and family.

Ali Baba rose before day, and, followed by his slave, went to the
baths, entirely ignorant of the important event which had happened at
home.

When he returned from the baths he was very much surprised to see the
oil jars, and to learn that the merchant was not gone with the mules.
He asked Morgiana, who opened the door, the reason of it.

"My good master," answered she, "God preserve you and all your family.
You will be better informed of what you wish to know when you have
seen what I have to show you, if you will follow me."

As soon as Morgiana had shut the door, Ali Baba followed her, when she
requested him to look into the first jar, and see if there was any
oil. Ali Baba did so, and seeing a man, started back in alarm, and
cried out.

"Do not be afraid," said Morgiana; "the man you see there can neither
do you nor anybody else any harm. He is dead."

"Ah, Morgiana," said Ali Baba, "what is it you show me? Explain
yourself."

"I will," replied Morgiana. "Moderate your astonishment, and do not
excite the curiosity of your neighbors; for it is of great importance
to keep this affair secret. Look into all the other jars."

Ali Baba examined all the other jars, one after another; and when he
came to that which had the oil in it, found it prodigiously sunk, and
stood for some time motionless, sometimes looking at the jars and
sometimes at Morgiana