say, in way of reproach to them: but they being
wholly ignorant of any thing here that concerned them, laughed at what
he said, and wondered at the abusive language which the servant gave
them, when he was so hardy as to accuse those who did not before so much
as retain the price of their corn, which was found in their sacks, but
brought it again, though nobody else knew of any such thing,--so far
were they from offering any injury to Joseph voluntarily. But still,
supposing that a search would be a more sure justification of themselves
than their own denial of the fact, they bid him search them, and that if
any of them had been guilty of the theft, to punish them all; for being
no way conscious to themselves of any crime, they spake with assurance,
and, as they thought, without any danger to themselves also. The
servants desired there might be a search made; but they said the
punishment should extend to him alone who should be found guilty of the
theft. So they made the search; and, having searched all the rest, they
came last of all to Benjamin, as knowing it was Benjamin's sack in which
they had hidden the cup, they having indeed searched the rest only for a
show of accuracy: so the rest were out of fear for themselves, and were
now only concerned about Benjamin, but still were well assured that he
would also be found innocent; and they reproached those that came after
them for their hindering them, while they might, in the mean while, have
gotten a good way on their journey. But as soon as they had searched
Benjamin's sack, they found the cup, and took it from him; and all was
changed into mourning and lamentation. They rent their garments, and
wept for the punishment which their brother was to undergo for his
theft, and for the delusion they had put on their father, when they
promised they would bring Benjamin safe to him. What added to their
misery was, that this melancholy accident came unfortunately at a time
when they thought they had been gotten off clear; but they confessed
that this misfortune of their brother, as well as the grief of their
father for him, was owing to themselves, since it was they that forced
their father to send him with them, when he was averse to it.

8. The horsemen therefore took Benjamin and brought him to Joseph, his
brethren also following him; who, when he saw him in custody, and them
in the habit of mourners, said, "How came you, vile wretches as you
are, to have such a strange not