He took the name of Cogia Houssain, and as a newcomer was very civil to the merchants near him.  Ali Baba’s son was one of the first to converse with him, and the new merchant was most friendly.  Within two or three days Ali Baba came to see his son, and the captain of the robbers knew him at once, and soon learned from his son who he was.  From that time forth he was still more polite to Ali Baba’s son, who soon felt bound to repay the many kindnesses of his new friend.

As his own house was small, he arranged with his father that on a certain afternoon, when he and the merchant were passing by Ali Baba’s house, they should stop, and he should ask them both to sup with him.  This plan was carried out, though at first the merchant, with whose own plans it agreed perfectly, made as if to excuse himself.  He even gave it as a reason for not remaining that he could eat no salt in his victuals.

“If that is all,” said Ali Baba, “it need not deprive me of the honor of your company”; and he went to the kitchen and told Morgiana to put no salt into anything she was cooking that evening.

Thus Cogia Houssain was persuaded to stay, but to Morgiana it seemed very strange that any one should refuse to eat salt.  She wished to see what manner of man it might be, and to this end, when she had finished what she had to do in the kitchen, she helped Abdalla carry up the dishes.  Looking at Cogia Houssain, she knew him at first sight, in spite of his disguise, to be the captain of the robbers, and, scanning him very closely, saw that he had a dagger under his garment.

“I see now why this greatest enemy of my master would eat no salt with him.  He intends to kill him; but I will prevent him.”

While they were at supper Morgiana made up her mind to do one of the boldest deeds ever conceived.  She dressed herself like a dancer, girded her waist with a silver-gilt girdle, from which hung a poniard, and put a handsome mask on her face.  Then, when the supper was ended, she said to Abdalla:—­

“Take your tabor, and let us go and divert our master and his son’s friend, as we sometimes do when he is alone.”

They presented themselves at the door with a low bow, and Morgiana was bidden to enter and show Cogia Houssain how well she danced.  This, he knew, would interrupt him in carrying out his wicked purpose, but he had to make the best of it, and to seem pleased with Morgiana’s dancing.  She was indeed a good dancer, and on this occasion outdid herself in graceful and surprising motions.  At the last, she took the tabor from Abdalla’s hand, and held it out like those who dance for money.

Ali Baba put a piece of gold into it, and so did his son.  When Cogia Houssain saw that she was coming to him, he pulled out his purse from his bosom to make her a present; but while he was putting his hand into it, Morgiana, with courage worthy of herself, plunged the poniard into his heart.