The Baba who wrote this inscription lived under the eighteenth Egyptian dynasty, about 1500 B. C., or a little before. Brugsch pointed out many years ago that Baba’s concluding statement forms an interesting parallel to the conduct of Joseph as told in Gen. 41:47-57. Baba claims to have done for his city, El-Kab, what Joseph is said to have done for all Egypt. His statement affords striking evidence of the historical reality of famines in Egypt, and of such economic preparation for them. CHAPTER XI PALESTINE IN THE PATRIARCHAL AGE THE TALE OF SINUHE. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN EGYPT AND PALESTINE. =1. The Tale of Sinuhe.= In the year 1970 B. C., when Amenemhet I died and was succeeded by Sesostris I, an Egyptian of high rank, named Sinuhe, for some reason now unknown to us, fled from Egypt to Asia. The details of his escape from Egypt are not of interest to the Biblical student, but his description of the hardships encountered in the desert and of his experiences in eastern Palestine are of great value, as they afford us our earliest description of that country outside the Bible. The following extract begins just after Sinuhe had told how he escaped the guards in the fort which stood at the eastern frontier of Egypt.[442] I went on at the time of evening, As the earth brightened, I arrived at Peten. When I had reached the lake of Kemwer,[443] I fell down for thirst, fast came my breath, My throat was hot, I said: “This is the taste of death.” I upheld my heart, I drew my limbs together, As I heard the sound of lowing cattle, I beheld the Bedawin. That chief among them, who had been in Egypt, recognized me. He gave me water, he cooked for me milk. I went with him to his tribe, Good was that which they did (for me). One land sent me on to another, I loosed for Suan,[444] I arrived at Kedem;[445] I spent a year and a half there. Emuienshe,[446] that sheik of Upper [Ru]tenu,[447] brought me forth saying to me: “Happy art thou with me, (for) thou hearest the speech of Egypt.” He said this (for) he knew my character, He had heard of my wisdom; The Egyptians, who were there with him, bare witness of me. The Amorite chieftain then questioned Sinuhe concerning his flight. He gave evasive answers, merging with his reply a long hymn in praise of the king. After this Emuienshe said to him: