ed all the storehouses, and sold
corn to the Egyptians. And from all the countries round about people
came into Egypt to buy corn.

Far away in the Vale of Hebron the famine was sore, and the sons of
Jacob did not know what to do. Then when things were at their worst
news came to Jacob that there was corn in Egypt. So he sent his ten
sons away with their empty sacks and their asses to buy corn for their
families. They wished to take their young brother Benjamin with them,
but their father would not allow them. He had lost Joseph, he said,
and he would not risk Benjamin with them.

Having crossed many a weary mile of yellow sand and barren rock, they
were stopped by a high wall set with forts and gates guarded by
soldiers; and they had to say what they wanted before they were allowed
to pass into Egypt.

For days they walked by the side of the great river Nile, along the
road to Memphis, where the king's stores were, and at length they saw
the city upon an island in the river. Stepping into broad ferry-boats
with their animals, they were taken over, and went up the long road,
lined on each side with the figures of winged lions in stone, towards
the wide market-place of the great city. There they made known what
they wanted, saying that they had come from Hebron to buy corn; and
their names and business were written down on a tablet, which was taken
to the keeper of the granaries.

Word soon came that they must go before the keeper; and they were
warned to be careful what they said, for he was one of the king's chief
officers. Taking off their sandals and cloaks at the steps, the ten
Hebrew shepherds went between the pillars at the door and stood waiting.

Within sat a young Egyptian, dressed in a robe of white linen, and
wearing a great black wig of horsehair with many small plaits. His
scribes sat at tables below him, writing down any orders he might wish
to give.

An Egyptian soldier told the sons of Jacob to go forward. Then the ten
men went in and knelt down humbly before the young Egyptian; nor did
they rise until he gave them leave. He looked at them and frowned, and
they were afraid.

"Where do you come from?" the officer asked sharply.

"From the land of Canaan, to buy corn," was the humble answer.

"You are spies!" he cried in a passion. "You have come to spy out the
weakness of the land. What is your calling? Who are your friends?"

The ten Hebrews could scarcely speak for terror. The