.

Now Joseph looked often at the stars, and wondered who placed them
there, and what they had to do with him. And one night as he lay
asleep in his father's tent he had another dream, and this time it was
about the stars that could be seen through a slit in the tent, gleaming
and sparkling in the dark blue sky. He dreamt that the sun and the
moon and eleven of the largest of the twinkling stars came and bowed
down to him.

He told this dream also to his angry brothers, as well as to the old
man his father, who gently checked him for his vain thoughts. He had,
however, a soaring mind, and had more dreams still, of which we are not
told, so that his brothers gave him, partly in mockery, the name of
"Joseph the Dreamer."

Now at certain seasons grass was somewhat scarce in the Vale of Hebron,
so at one time Jacob sent his sons away with their sheep and cattle to
seek food in other valleys where the grass was longer green. They went
along the hills to the beautiful Vale of Shechem, fifty miles away; and
after some time had passed the old shepherd began to wonder if they
were all well, for he had not heard from them for some days.

It was his usual custom when his sons were away from home to send a
messenger to them with cheese, butter, and wine, and other nice things
to eat; and this time he asked Joseph to go. Now, a camel ride of
fifty miles was not an easy undertaking, for there were robbers in
these parts, and the old man was much pleased when Joseph said he was
not afraid to set out on the journey.

Mounted on a strong camel, with side baskets filled with cakes of figs,
dried raisins, parched corn, and leather bottles of oil and wine, the
young lad rode away. He was dressed in his favourite coat of many
colours, protected by his long cloak, while a bright kerchief covered
his head, and a spear and club hung at his saddle. And as his father
watched him going along the yellow track and over the hill towards the
Bethlehem road, he sent up a prayer for his safe return.

When Joseph came in due time to the Vale of Shechem, he wandered about
asking the few people he met for his brothers; and at last he was told
by a certain man that he must ride to a place called Dothan, where
there were two wells, for his brothers were there feeding their flocks.
This he did, and in due time came to the spot where his brothers were
resting.

"Who is this coming over the hill from Shechem?" said the brothers to
each other, a