ALI BABa AND THE FORTY ROBBERS. 423

The intimacy between the son of Ali Baba and Cogia Hous-
sain continued to ripen ; and one evening whilst they were tak-
ing a walk they called at Ali Baba’s house ; who, desiring to be
hospitable to a friend of his son, invited them to stay and par-
take of supper with him. “I am much obliged by your invita-
tation,” said Cogia, “but I beg you to excuse me as I have a
particular reason for declining the honour you propose to me.”

“What might this reason be, sir,’ resumed Ali Baba, “ might
[ take the liberty of asking you?” “I do not refuse to tell it,”
said Cogia Houssain. “It is this; I never eat of any dish that
has salt in it; judge then of the figure I should make at your
table.” “Ifthis be your only reason,” replied Ali Baba, “it
need not deprive me of the honour of your company at supper.
In the first place, the bread which is eaten in my house does
not contain any salt; and as for the meat and other dishes, I
promise you there shall be none in those which are served be-
fore you.” Ali Baba went into the kitchen, and desired Morgi-
ana not to put any salt to the meat she was going to serve for
supper.

Morgiana could not avoid expressing some discontent at this
order, and making some inquiries of Ali Baba. “Who,” said
she, “is this difficult man, that cannot eat salt? I feel a curi-
osity to see him.” She assisted in carrying the dishes in for
supper, and on looking at Cogia Houssain, she instantly recol-
lected him to be the captain of the robbers, notwithstanding his
disguise ; and examining him with great attention, she per-
ceived that he had a dagger concealed under his dress, “I
am no longer surprised,” said she to herself, “that this villain
will not eat salt with my master ; he is his bitterest enemy, and
means to murder him ; but I will still prevent him from accom-
plishing his purpose.”

When Morgiana had finished serving the dishes, she availed
herself of the time while they were at supper, and made the
necessary preparations for the execution of an enterprise of the
boldest and mostintrepidnature; andshehadjust completed them,
when Ali Baba desired her to take away the supper and place fruit
and wine on the table ; having done which she retired. Instead,
however, of going to supper, Morgiana, who had penetrated
into the views of the pretended Cogia Houssain, did not
allow him time to put his wicked intentions in execution. She