having put a man into each jar, properly armed, the jars being rubbed on the outside with oil, and the covers having holes bored in them for the men to breathe through, loaded his mules, and in the habit of an oil merchant, entered the town in the dusk of the evening. He proceeded to the street where Ali Baba dwelt, and found him sitting in the porch of his house. “Sir,” said he to Ali Baba, “I have brought this oil a great way to sell, and I am too late for this day’s market, as I am a stranger in this town, will you do me the favour to let me put my mules into your court-yard, and direct me where I may lodge to night.
Ali Baba, who was a good natured man, welcomed the pretended oil merchant very kindly, and offered him a bed in his own house; and having ordered the mules to be unloaded in the yard, and properly fed, he invited his guest into supper. The captain having seen the jars placed ready in the yard, followed Ali Baba into the house, and after supper, was shewn to the chamber where he was to sleep.
It happened that Morgiana was obliged to sit up later that night than usual, to get ready her master’s bathing linen for the following morning; and while she was busy about the fire, her lamp went out, and there was no more oil in the house.
