230 ALI BABA AND

Though Ali Baba had seen the captain of the
robbers in the forest, and had heard him speak,
it was impossible to know him in the disguise
of an oil-merchant. He told him he should be
welcome, and immediately opened his gates for
the mules to go into the yard. At the same
time he called to a slave, and ordered him, when
the mules were unloaded, not only to put them
into the stable, but to give them fodder; and
then went to Morgiana, to bid her get a good
supper for his guest.

He did more. To make his guest as welcome
as possible, when he saw the captain had unloaded
his mules, and that they were put into the stables
as he had ordered, and he was looking for a place
to pass the night in the air, he brought him into
the hall where he received his company, telling
him he would not suffer him to be in the court.
The captain excused himself on pretence of not
being troublesome, but really to have room to
execute his design, and it was not till after the
most pressing importunity that he yielded. Ali
Baba, not content to keep company with the
man who had a design on his life till supper
was ready, continued talking with him till it was
ended, and repeating his offer of service.

The captain rose up at the same time with his