affliction. When he came near the rock, having seen neither his brother nor the mules in his way, he was seriously alarmed at finding some blood spilt near the door, which he took for an ill omen; but when he had pronounced the word, and the door had opened, he was struck with horror at the dismal sight of his brother’s body.
He went into the cave, to find something to enshroud the remains; and having loaded one of his asses with them, covered them over with wood. The other two asses he loaded with bags of gold, covering them also with wood; and then bidding the door shut, came away; but was careful to stop some time at the end of the forest, that he might not go into the town before night. When he came home, he drove the two asses loaded with gold into his little yard, and left the care of unloading them to his wife, while he led the other to his sister-in-law’s house.
Ali Baba knocked at the door, which was opened by Morgiana, a clever, intelligent slave. Once in the court, he unloaded the ass, and taking Morgiana aside, said to her, “You must observe an inviolable secrecy. Your master’s body is contained in these two panniers. We must bury him as if he had died a natural death. Go now and tell your mistress. I leave the matter to your wit and skillful devices.”
Ali Baba helped to place the body in Cassim’s house, again recommended Morgiana to act her part well, and then left with his ass.
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