ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES. 59

 

times presenting the dagger as if to
strike, and at others holding it to her
’ own bosom, as if to stab herself.

At length, as if out of breath, she
took the tabor from Abdalla with her
left hand, and holding the dagger in her
right, she held out the tabor to Ali Baba,
who threw a piece of gold into the tabor.
Morgiana then held it out to his son,
who did the same. Cogia Houssain,
who saw that she was coming to him
next, had already taken his purse from
his bosom, and was putting his hand in
it, when Morgiana, with great courage,
suddenly plunged the dagger into his
heart so deep, that the life blood streamed
from the wound.

Ali Baba and his son, terrified at this
‘action, uttered a loud cry: ‘‘ Wretch!”