406 THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

seemed to him that this cave had been used not only for years,
but for centuries, as a retreat for robbers, who had regularly
succeeded each other.

Ali Baba did not hesitate long as to the plan he should pursue.
He went into the cave, and as soon as he was there, the door
shut ; but as he knew the secret by which to open it, this gave
him no sort of uneasiness. He made directly for the gold coin,
and particularly that which was in the bags. He took up at
several times as much as he could carry, and when he had got
together what he thought sufficient for loading his three asses,
he went and collected them together. He then brought them
as close as he could to the rock, and loaded them ; and in order
to conceal the sacks, he so covered the whole over with wood,
that no one could perceive anything else. When he had finished
all this, he went up tc the door, and had no sooner pronounced
the words, “Shut, Sesamé,” than it closed ; for although it shut
of itself every time he went in, it remained open on coming ow
only by command. :

This being done, Ali Baba took the road to the town; and
when he got to his own house, he drove his asses into a small
court, and shut the gate with great care. He threw down the
small quantity of wood that covered the bags, and carried the
latter into his house, where he laid them down in a regular
manner before his-wife, who was sitting upon a sofa.

His wife feit the sacks to know their contents ; and when she
found them to be full of money, she suspected her husband of
having stolen them, so that when he brought them all before
her, she could not help saying, “Ali Baba, is it possible that
you should—” He immediately interrupted her, “ Peace, my
dear wife,” exclaimed he, “dc not alarm yourself, Jam not a
thief, unless that title be attached to those who take from thieves.
You will change your bad opinion of me when I shall have told
you my good fortune.” He emptied the sacks, the contents of
which formed a great heap of gold, that quite dazzled his wife’s
eyes ; and when he had done so, he related his whole adventure
from beginning to end; and as he concluded, he above all things
conjured her tc keep it secret.

His wife recovering from her alarm, began to rejoice on the
fortunate circumstance which had befallen them; and was go-
ing to count over the money that lay before her, piece by piece,