was made a slave for his evil deeds, and so will we do with
our brother Joseph."[48]


THE SALE

While the brethren of Joseph were deliberating upon his
fate, seven Midianitish merchantmen passed near the pit
in which he lay. They noticed that many birds were circling
above it, whence they assumed that there must be water
therein, and, being thirsty, they made a halt in order to refresh
themselves. When they came close, they heard Joseph
screaming and wailing, and they looked down into the pit
and saw a youth of beautiful figure and comely appearance.
They called to him, saying: "Who art thou? Who brought
thee hither, and who cast thee into this pit in the wilderness?"
They all joined together and dragged him up, and
took him along with them when they continued on their
journey. They had to pass his brethren, who called out to
the Midianites: "Why have you done such a thing, to steal
our slave and carry him away with you? We threw the
lad into the pit, because he was disobedient. Now, then, return
our slave to us." The Midianites replied: "What,
this lad, you say, is your slave, your servant? More likely
is it that you all are slaves unto him, for in beauty of form,
in pleasant looks, and fair appearance, he excelleth you all.
Why, then, will you speak lies unto us? We will not give
ear unto your words, nor believe you, for we found the lad
in the wilderness, in a pit, and we took him out, and we will
carry him away with us on our journey." But the sons of