ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES. 21

ground, did not. doubt that the thieves
had. come, and that his death was near.
Resolved, however, on one effort to
escape, and reach some place of safety,
he placed himself near the door, ready to
run out as soon as it should open. The
word ‘‘ Sesame,” was scarcely pronounced
than it opened, and he rushed out with
such violence that he threw the Captain
on the ground. He could not, however,
escape the other thieves, who, having
their sabres drawn, slew him on the
spot. :

On entering the cave the thieves
found the sacks near the door which
Cassim had filled, but they could not
imagine how he had been able to get
in.

They agreed to divide the carcase of
Cassim into four quarters, and place
them in the cave near the door—two
quarters on one side, and two on the
other—to frighten away anyone else who
might have the boldness to break into
the cave. Then, leaving it well secured,
they mounted their horses, and rode
away.

The wife of Cassim, in the meantime,
was in the greatest uneasiness, when
night came, and her husband did not