Page:Ali Baba, or, The forty thieves, destroyed by Morgiana, a female slave.pdf/4

4 ALI BABA He had often heard of robbers who infested that forest, and, in a great confusion, hastily climbed up a large thick tree, which stood at the foot of a rock, and hid himself among the branches.

The horsemen soon galloped up to the rock, where they all dismounted.

Ali Baba counted forty of them, and he could not doubt but they were thieves, by their ill-looking coutenances.

Each took a loaded portmanteau from his horse, and he who seemed to be their captain, turning to the rock, said, Open Sesame, and immediately a door opened in the rock, and all the robbers passed in, when the door shut of itself.

In a short time the door opened again, and the robbers came out, followed by their captain; who said, Shut Sesame.

The door instantly closed; and the troop, mounting their horses, were presently out of sight.

Baba remained in the tree a long time, and seeing that robbers did not return, he ventured down; and approaching close to the rock, said, Open Sesame.

Immediately the door flew open and Ali Baba beheld a spacious cavern, very light, and filled with all sorts of provisions, merchandise, rich stuffs and heaps of gold and silver coin, which these robbers had taken from merchants and travellers.

Ali Baba then went in search of his asses,