Page:Ali Baba, or, The forty thieves (2).pdf/14

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

14

                      having put a man into each jar, properly
                      armed, the jars being rubbed on the outside
                      with oil, and the covers having holes bored
                      in them for the men to breathe through,
                      loaded his mules, and in the habit of an oil
                      merchant, entered the town in the dusk of
                      the evening. He proceeded to the street
                      where Ali Baba dwelt, and found him sitting
                      in the porch of his house. "Sir," said he
                      to Ali Baba, “I have brought this oil a
                      great way to sell, and I am too late for this
                      day's market, as I am a stranger in this
                      town, will you do me the favour to let me
                      put my mules into your court-yard, and
                      direct me where I may lodge to night. A
                        Ali Baba, who was a good natured man,
                      welcomed the pretended oil merchant very
                      kindly, and offered him a bed in his own
                      house; and having ordered the mules to be
                      unloaded in the yard, and properly fed, he
                      invited his guest into supper. The captain
                      having seen the jars placed ready in the
                      yard, followed Ali Baba into the house, and
                      after supper, was shewn to the chamber where
                      he was to sleep.
                        It happened that Morgiana was obliged
                      to sit up later that night than usual, to get
                      ready her master's bathing linen for the
                      following morning; and while she was busy
                      about the fire, her lamp went out, and there
                      was no more oil in the house.