words, “Open, O Simsim!"[FN#291] and forthwith appeared a wide doorway in the face of the rock.  The robbers went in and last of all their Chief and then the portal shut of itself.  Long while they stayed within the cave whilst Ali Baba was constrained to abide perched upon the tree, re fleeting that if he came down peradventure the band might issue forth that very moment and seize him and slay him.  At last he had determined to mount one of the horses and driving on his asses to return townwards, when suddenly the portal dew open.  The robber-chief was first to issue forth; then, standing at the entrance, he saw and counted his men as they came out, and lastly he spake the magical words, “Shut, O Simsim!” whereat the door closed of itself.  When all had passed muster and review, each slung on his saddle-bags and bridled his own horse and as soon as ready they rode off, led by the leader, in the direction whence they came.  Ali Baba remained still perched on the tree and watched their departure; nor would he descend until what time they were clean gone out of sight, lest perchance one of them return and look around and descry him.  Then he thought within himself, “I too will try the virtue of those magical words and see if at my bidding the door will open and close.”  So he called out aloud, “Open, O Simsim!” And no sooner had he spoken than straightway the portal flew open and he entered within.  He saw a large cavern and a vaulted, in height equalling the stature of a full-grown man and it was hewn in the live stone and lighted up with light that came through air-holes and bullseyes in the upper surface of the rock which formed the roof.  He had expected to find naught save outer gloom in this robbers’ den, and he was surprised to see the whole room filled with bales of all manner stuffs, and heaped up from sole to ceiling with camel-loads of silks and brocades and embroidered cloths and mounds on mounds of vari-coloured carpetings; besides which he espied coins golden and silvern without measure or account, some piled upon the ground and others bound in leathern bags and sacks.  Seeing these goods and moneys in such abundance, Ali Baba determined in his mind that not during a few years only but for many generations thieves must have stored their gains and spoils in this place.  When he stood within the cave, its door had closed upon him, yet he was not dismayed since he had kept in memory the magical words; and he took no heed of the precious stuffs around him, but applied himself only and wholly to the sacks of Ashrafis.  Of these he carried out as many as he judged sufficient burthen for the beasts; then he loaded them upon his animals, and covered this plunder with sticks and fuel, so none might discern the bags, but might think that he was carrying home his usual ware.  Lastly he called out, “Shut, O Simsim!” and forthwith the door closed, for the spell so wrought that whensoever any entered the cave, its portal shut of itself behind him; and, as