8
ALI BABA
He drove his asses to the forest without delay.
He was alarmed to see blood near the rocks and on entering the cave he found the body of his unfortunate brother cut to pieces, and hung up within the door. It was too late now to save him, but he took down the quarters and put them upon one of his asses, covering them with faggots of wood; and weeping for the miserable end of his brother, he regained the city.
The door of his brother's house was opened by Morgiana, an intelligent faithful female slave, who Ali Baba knew was worthy to be trusted with the secret.
He therefore delivered the body to Morgiana, and went himself to impart the sad tidings to the widow of Cassim.
The poor woman was deeply afflicted, and reproached herself with her foolish envy and curiosity, as being the cause of her husband's death; but Ali Baba having convinced her of the necessity of being very discreet, she checked her lamentations and resolved to leave every thing to the good management of Morgiana.
Morgiana having washed the body, hastened to an apothecary's and asked for some particular medicine; saying it was for her master Cassim, who was dangerously ill.
She took care to spread the report of Cassim's illness through the neighbourhood; and as they saw Ali Baba and his wife going daily to the house of their brother in great affliction, they
