42 ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES.

‘Take care that my bathing-linen is ready,
and make me some good broth -to take
when I return.” After giving these
orders he went to bed.

The Captain of the thieves, in the mean-

time, on leaving the stable, went to give

his people orders what to do. Beginning
with the first jar, and going through the
whole number, he said to each, *¢ When I
shall throw some pebbles from my cham-
ber, do not fail to rip open the jar
from top to bottom with the knife you
have got, and to come out; I shall be
with you soon after.” The knife he
spoke of was sharpened for the purpose.
This done, he returned, and Morgiana
took a light, and led him to his chamber.
Not to create any suspicion, he put out
the light, and lay down in his clothes,
to be ready to rise as soon as he had
taken his first sleep.

Morgiana did not forget Ali Baba’s
orders; she prepared his linen for the
bath and gave it to Abdalla, Ali Baba’s
slave, who was not yet gone to bed;
put the pot on the fire to make the broth,
but while she was skimming it the lamp
went out. There was no more oil in the
house, and she had not any candle. She
knew not what to do. She wanted a