Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (10)

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (10)

That same night, the forty thieves sneaked into the city.

They looked for the door marked with a cross, intending to kill the poeple who lived there.

But when they found that every door had a cross they left in great anger. 

The following day the leader decided to take things into his own hands.

He too found Baba Moustafa, who led him to Ali Baba's house.

The leader examined it cosely and very soon he had an idea.

When he got back to the forest he sent his men to buy some mules and forty leather oil jars.

When everything had been bought the leader filled one of jars with oil, leaving the others empty.

Then he ordered all his men into the empty jars which he then sealed, leaving just a little airhole in each lid.

That night he drove his strange convoy into the city.

Ali Baba was enjoying the cool, night air when the leader of the thieves stopped outside, pretending that he was an oil merchant bound for market the following day.

He said that he had come a long distance and was very tired.

Ali Baba did not recognize him at all.

"You are welcome here, " Ali Baba said.
" Come into my house and spend the night ! "

(10/16)