262 ALI BABA

At the year’s end, when he found they had not
made any attempt to disturb him, he had the
curiosity to make another journey, taking the ne-
cessary precautions for his safety. He mounted
his horse, and when he came to the cave, and saw
no footsteps of men or horses, looked upon it as
a good sign. He alighted, tied his horse to a tree,
then approaching the entrance, and pronouncing
the words, “‘ Open, Sesame,” the door opened. He
entered the cavern, and, by the condition he found
things in, judged that nobody had been there
since the false Khaujeh Houssain, when he had
fetched the goods for his shop; that the gang of
forty robbers was completely destroyed, and no
longer doubted that he was the only person in
the world who had the secret of opening the cave,
so that all the treasure was at his sole disposal.
Having brought with him a wallet, he put into
it as much gold as his horse would carry, and
returned to town.

Afterwards Ali Baba carried his son to the cave,
and taught him the secret, which they handed
down to their posterity, who, using their good
fortune with moderation, lived in great honour
and splendour.