Now, when she was certain that each and every man had been slain, she went back to the kitchen, shut the door, and continued brewing Ali Baba’s broth. No more than an hour passed before the captain woke from his sleep, and after he opened his window, he saw that everything was dark and silent. So he clapped his hands as a signal for his men to come out of the jars, but not a sound was heard in return. After a while he clapped again and called out loud, but got no answer. And when he cried out a third time without a reply, he was perplexed and went out to the shed, where the jars were standing. He thought to himself that they might have all fallen asleep. But since the time for action was at hand, he felt he had to wake them without delay. So he approached the nearest jar and was startled by the smell of oil and seething flesh. Upon touching the outside of the vessel, he felt it reeking hot. Then he went to the others one by one and found them all in the same condition. It did not take him long to figure out what had happened to the members of his band, and fearing for his own safety, he climbed over the wall into a nearby garden and made his escape in high gear and with great disappointment.
Morgiana waited awhile for the captain to return from the shed, but he did not appear. Therefore, she realized that he had probably scaled the wall and had taken flight because the street door was double-locked. Since she knew the thieves could not cause any more trouble that night, Morgiana lay down to sleep in perfect contentment and with an easy mind.
Two hours before dawn, Ali Baba awoke and went to the Hammam, knowing nothing about the nocturnal adventure, for the gallant slave girl had not aroused him, nor had she deemed such action expedient. Indeed, if she had sought an opportunity to tell him about her plan, she most likely would have lost her chance, and the entire project would have been spoiled.
The sun was high above the horizon when Ali Baba walked back from the baths, and he was astounded to see the jars still standing under the shed. So he asked Morgiana, “How is it that my guest hasn’t taken his jars of oil to the market?”
And Scheherazade noticed that dawn was approaching and stopped telling her story. When the next night arrived, however, she received the king’s permission to continue her tale and said,
When Morgiana heard Ali Baba’s question about his guest, she replied, “May Allah Almighty grant you threescore years and ten of safety! I’d like to have a private talk with you about this merchant.”
So Ali Baba went off to the side with his slave girl, who took him into the courtyard and locked the door behind her. After showing him a jar, she said, “Please look inside, and tell me whether there’s oil or something else.”
After Ali Baba peered inside, he perceived a man, but the sight of the corpse scared him so much that he almost fled in fright.
“There’s no need to fear this man,” Morgiana said. “He’s no longer capable of harming you. He’s stone dead.”
Upon hearing these comforting words, Ali Baba asked, “Morgiana, what evil things was he planning, and how did this wretch come to suffer this fate?”
“Praise be to Allah,” she responded. “I’ll tell you the whole story, but you must keep quiet and not speak so loud, or else the neighbors will learn about our secret. First, take a look into all the jars, one by one.”
So Ali Baba examined them and found that they each contained a man, armed to the teeth, but scalded to death. To say the least, he was so amazed that he became speechless and could only stare at the jars. Soon, however, he recovered his composure and asked, “Where is the oil merchant?”
“That villain was not a trader,” Morgiana replied, “but a lying crook whose sugar-coated words were intended to lead you into a trap. But before I tell you what he was and what has happened, you should drink some of this broth for your health and to sooth your stomach, since you’ve come fresh from the Hammam.”
So Ali Baba went inside his house, and Morgiana served him the broth, whereupon he said, “I’d like to hear this wondrous story now. Please tell it to me, and set my heart at ease.”
So the slave girl began by saying, “Master, when you told me to boil the broth and then retired for the evening, I obediently took out a suit of clean white clothes and gave it to Abdullah. After that I kindled the fire and set the broth on it. As soon as it was ready, I needed to light a lamp so that I could see to skim it, but all the oil was gone. When Abdullah heard me complaining, he advised me to take some of the oil from the jars that stood under the shed. Therefore, I took a can and went to the first vessel, when I suddenly heard a voice whisper cautiously, ‘Is it time for us to come out?’ I was amazed by this and suspected that the so-called merchant was plotting to kill you. So I replied, ‘It’s not time yet.’ Then I went to the second jar and heard another voice, and I gave him the same answer. And so it went with the rest. I was now certain that these men were only waiting for some signal from their chief, who was the guest you had received into you house. Moreover, I was sure that he had brought these men to murder you and plunder your goods. But I gave him no opportunity to fulfill his wish. After taking some oil from the last jar, I lit the lamp and put a large caldron on the fire. Next I filled it up with oil which I brought from the jar and made a blazing fire underneath. When the contents were seething hot, I took out various cans, filled them with the liquid, and went to pour the boiling liquid on them one by one. After scalding them all to death, I returned to the kitchen, put out all the lamps, and watched how the traitorous merchant would act next. Not long after I had taken my place by the kitchen window, the robber captain awoke and signaled to his men. Since they did not reply, he went downstairs and into the courtyard. Finding that all his men were slain in the jars, he fled over the garden wall, and I don’t know where he’s gone. After I was sure that he had disappeared, I double-locked the door, and with my heart at rest, I slept.”
After telling this story to her master, Morgiana added, “I’ve told you the complete truth, but I must say that I’ve had an inkling for some days that there was mischief in the air. However, I didn’t say anything to you because I didn’t want the neighbors to know anything. Now I must tell you why I was so concerned. One day, as I came to the house door, I spotted a white chalk mark on it, and the next day there was a red sign beside it. Although I didn’t know how the marks had been made, I put others on the entrances of various neighbors’ doors, for I felt that some enemy was plotting something evil against my master. And these other marks were just like the one on your door. I’m convinced that these thieves were the ones who marked our house so that they’d be able to recognize it again. Of the forty thieves there are two remaining, and I don’t know where they are. So you had better beware of them, and of course, you’d best beware of their captain, who’s the most dangerous of the lot. If you should fall into his hands, he’ll definitely murder you. Of course, I’ll do all I can within my powers to save you from harm and your property from damage. Indeed, you may depend on me to serve you as best I can.”
Upon hearing these words, Ali Baba rejoiced and said to her, “I am most pleased by the way you acted. But now you must tell me what I can do in your behalf, for I’ll never forget the brave deeds you’ve done for me as long as I live.”
“Before we talk about this,” Morgiana said, “we’d better bury these bodies in the ground so that we can keep everything secret.”
Heeding her advice, Ali Baba took his slave boy Abdullah into the garden, and there they dug a deep pit for the corpses of the thieves, and after taking away their weapons, they dragged the bodies to the grave and threw them into it. Then they covered the remains of the thirty-seven robbers with dirt, and they made the ground appear just as level and clean as it used to be. They also hid the leather jars, the gear, and the weapons, and thereafter, Ali Baba sent the mules by ones and twos to the bazaar and sold them all with the capable aid of his slave boy Abdullah. Thus, the matter was hushed up and never reached the ears of any of his neighbors. However, Ali Baba remained ill at ease because he thought the captain or the two surviving robbers would seek
revenge. He took pains to keep everything private and made sure that nobody learned anything of what had happened and how he had managed to obtain his wealth from the bandits’ cave.
Meanwhile the captain of the thieves was living in the forest full of rage and extremely upset. He had great trouble controlling his feelings, and after thinking about the matter over and over again, he finally decided that he had to take Ali Baba’s life, otherwise he would lose the entire treasure, because Ali Baba knew the magic words and could return and take anything he wanted. Furthermore, the captain was resolved to undertake this task alone, and once he had gotten rid of Ali Baba, he would assemble a new band of thieves and would pursue his career of brigandage as indeed his forebears had done for many generations. So he lay down to rest that night, and after rising early in the morning, he donned some garments of suitable appearance. When he arrived at the city, he stopped at a khan, thinking to himself, “I’m sure that the murder of so many men has reached the wali’s ears and that Ali Baba has been imprisoned and brought to justice. His house must be leveled by now and his goods confiscated. The townsfolk must surely have heard all about this.” So, without hesitating, he asked the keeper of the khan, “What strange things have been happening in the city during the last few days?”
And the other man told him all that he had seen and heard, but the captain did not learn a thing about what concerned him most. Thus, he realized that Ali Baba was very shrewd and wise, and that he had not only carried away a good deal of the treasure and destroyed many lives, but done all this without being scathed. Furthermore, the captain realized that he himself had better keep on his toes so as not to fall into the hands of his foe and perish.
With all this in mind, he rented a shop in the bazaar, to which he brought whole bales of the finest material and expensive merchandise from the cave in the forest. Soon he took his seat inside the store and began doing business as a merchant. By chance, his place was directly across from the booth of the deceased Kasim, where his son, Ali Baba’s nephew, now conducted his business. The captain, who now called himself Khwajah Hasan, soon formed an acquaintance and friendship with the shopkeepers around him and treated everyone with profuse politeness, but he was especially gracious and cordial to the son of Kasim, a well-dressed, handsome youth. Sometimes he would sit and chat with him for hours.
A few days after the robber captain had set up his business, Ali Baba chanced to come by and visit his nephew, whom he found sitting in his shop. The captain recognized him right away, and one morning he asked the young man, “Please, tell me, who is that man who comes to visit you every now and then at your shop?”
“He’s my uncle,” responded the young man.
From then on the captain showed him even greater favor and affection in order to make use of him when the time came. Indeed, he gave the young man presents and had him dine with him and fed him with the most delicious dishes. Soon, Ali Baba’s nephew thought it was only right and proper that he should invite the merchant to have supper with him. However, his own house was small, and since he could not make a show of splendor, as had Khwajah Hasan, he asked his uncle for some advice.
And Scheherazade noticed that dawn was approaching and stopped telling her tale. When the next night arrived, however, she received the king’s permission to continue her tale and said,
So Ali Baba told his nephew, “It’s best to treat your friend in the same splendid way that he’s treated you. So, since tomorrow is Friday, shut your shop as all the distinguished merchants do. Then, after the early meal, take Khwajah for a stroll, and as you are walking, lead him to my house. Meanwhile, I’ll tell Morgiana to get a meal ready for his arrival with the best of viands and everything else necessary for a feast. Don’t worry about a thing. Just leave the matter in my hands.”
Accordingly, on the next day, Ali Baba’s nephew took Khwajah for a walk in the large park. And as they were returning, he led him to the street where his uncle lived. When they came to the house, the youth stopped at the door, and after knocking, said, “My lord, this is my second home, and since my uncle has heard me speak a great deal about you and the kindness you have shown me, he would like to meet you. Therefore, I’d appreciate it if you would agree to visit him with me.”
To be sure, the robber captain rejoiced in his heart that he had now found a way to gain access to his enemy’s house and carry out his treacherous plot. But he hesitated at that moment and tried to find some excuse to walk away. However, when the door was opened by the porter, Ali Baba’s nephew took his companion’s hand, and after a great deal of persuasion, he led him inside. So the robber chief acted as though he were very pleased and honored when the master of the house received him with respect and said, “My lord, I am grateful to you for showing favor to the son of my brother, and I can see that you regard him with even more affection that I myself do.”
Khwajah Hasan replied with pleasant words, “Your nephew has caught my fancy, and I am very pleased with him. Although he is young, Allah Almighty has endowed him with a great deal of wisdom.”
Thus the two had a friendly conversation, until the guest rose to depart and said, “My lord, I must bid you farewell right now. But on some future occasion, I hope to see you again.”
However, Ali Baba would not let him leave and asked, “Where are you going, my friend? I’d like to invite you to enjoy a meal with us. Afterward you can go home in peace. Perhaps my dishes will not be as delicious as those which you are accustomed to eating, but I beg you to grant my request and have dinner with me.”
“My lord,” replied Khwajah Hasan, “I am obliged for your gracious invitation, and I’d like to accept your offer with pleasure. However, there is a special reason why I must refuse at this time. Therefore, please allow me to depart.”
To this the host responded, “Please tell me, my lord, what is it that’s so urgent and important that you can’t dine with me.”
And Khwajah Hasan answered, “The reason is this: my physician cured me of some malady and ordered me not to eat meat prepared with salt.”
“If this is all it is,” said Ali Baba, “do not deprive me of the pleasure and honor of your company. If the meat has not been cooked yet, I’ll tell the cook not to use any salt. Just wait here a moment, and I’ll return right away.”
So Ali Baba went into the kitchen and told Morgiana not to put any salt in the dishes she was preparing. Puzzled by her master’s instructions, she asked him, “Who is this person that doesn’t eat meat with salt?”
“What does it matter to you who it is?” Ali Baba responded. “Just do as I say.”
“As you wish,” she said, but she still wondered who it was that had made such a strange request and wanted very much to get a look at him. Therefore, when all the meat was ready to be served, she helped the slave boy Abdullah to spread the table and set the meat on it. No sooner had she seen Khwajah Hasan than she knew who he was even though he had disguised himself in the dress of a foreign merchant. Furthermore, when she looked more closely at him, she noticed a dagger hidden under his robe. “So, that’s it!” she said to herself. “This is the reason why the villain doesn’t want to eat salt. He’s looking for an opportunity to slay my master! Well, I’ll beat him to the punch and take care of him before he has a chance to harm my master.”
Now, Morgiana went back to the kitchen and began thinking of a way to get rid of the robber captain. Meanwhile, Ali Baba and Khwajah Hasan had eaten their fill of the meat, and Abdullah brought word to Morgiana to serve the dessert. Therefore, she cleared the table and set down fresh and dried fruit in trays. Then she placed a small tripod for three cups with a flagon of wine next to Ali Baba, and lastly, she went off with Abdullah into another room as though she wanted to eat her supper there. At this point, the robber captain thought the coast was clear and felt extremely good. “The time has come for me to take full vengeance,” he said to himself. “With one thrust of the dagger I’ll kill this wretch, and then I can make my escape through the garden. If his n
ephew tries to stop me, I’ll stab him and settle his accounts on earth. However, I must still wait awhile until the slave boy and cook have eaten and gone to rest in the kitchen.”
Unknown to him, Morgiana watched him carefully, and since she read his intentions, she said to herself, “I must not allow this villain to take advantage of my lord. There must be some way I can stop him and put an end to his life.” Accordingly, the trusty slave girl quickly changed her dress and put on some clothes that dancers generally wear. She veiled her face with a costly kerchief, bound her head with a fine turban, and tied a sash embroidered with gold and silver around her waist, in which she stuck a dagger with a jeweled hilt. After disguising herself like this, she said to Abdullah, “Take your tambourine, and let us sing and dance in honor of our master’s guest.”
So he did as she requested, and the two of them went into the room, the young boy playing the tambourine followed by Morgiana. Making a low bow, they asked permission to perform, and Ali Baba granted it and said, “Do your best and dance so that our guest will enjoy himself.”
“My lord,” said Khwajah Hasan, “you are truly entertaining me in a most pleasant way.”
Then Abdullah began to strike the tambourine, while Morgiana performed with graceful steps and moves. Suddenly, she drew the dagger from her sash and paced from side to side, and this spectacle pleased them most of all. At times she stood before them, clapping the sharp-edged dagger under her armpit and then setting it against her breast. Finally, she took the tambourine from Abdullah, and while still holding the poniard in her right hand, she went around for gifts of money, as was the custom among entertainers. First she stood before Ali Baba, who threw a gold coin into the tambourine, and his nephew did likewise. As she approached Khwajah Hasan, he began to pull out his purse, and taking courage, she plunged the dagger into his heart quick as lightning, and the scoundrel fell back stone dead.
Arabian Nights Page 14