Rathfelder's Hotel

by Annie E. Bosworth

I had wandered on considerably farther, and was once more halting to consult my watch, when again—yes, there it was!—the same dark form, still skulking behind the bushes, and by this time so much nearer that no great distance lay between us. What did it mean? Was it possible he meditated harming me? And robbery or violence of any kind was a thing almost unheard of around Cape Town. I could not believe he was intending evil against me. "He must be wanting to beg," I said to myself; "nothing more, oh, surely nothing more!" But my heart throbbed tumultuously, nevertheless, and I trembled exceedingly while, pretending to arrange the bouquet I held in my hand, I keenly watched him. An open space separated the thicket behind which he was unquestionably trying to hide himself and another in advance; and across this he must pass should he continue the course he was apparently pursuing—a course which would shortly bring him directly in front of me and upon the path I was following, for it made a turn at that point right before his way. I had not long to wait. Believing himself again secure from notice, the man advanced stealthily a little forward, projected his head and gazed at me. Words cannot describe the feeling of terror which possessed my whole being when at that instant I recognised the repellant face of Joe Blurdon! I did not move; I affected to be completely engaged with my nosegay and to see nothing else. But, alas! where was I to go? Forward or backward, I was now equally in his power, and that his intentions were undoubtedly bad was clear, or why these underhand proceedings? Why, too, was he here at all? Did he meditate robbery? What was I to do? And I thought of my watch, that I had taken out while he was looking, but I dreaded much more even the touch of his hand. I was conscious of a strange feeling stealing over me as I stood there amidst the beautiful works of the Creator—the bright sunshine, the balmy air, the clear sky above and flower-carpeted earth beneath—spellbound by that dark face and evil eye fixed upon me in the distance.

But now Blurdon stole rapidly across the bare space, and for a brief while was again hid from my view. With his disappearance subsided the lethargy of terror which was paralyzing me, and I strove to raise my heart in prayer to heaven. The very effort brought new life into my soul—brought the remembrance that I was not alone, that a merciful, loving Friend was near whose arm was as powerful to protect in this wilderness as in the greatest crowd. "Oh save me, my God! Direct me what to do!" were my only words. And he did direct me.

To run for my life seemed the only chance left me. "But not yet," I murmured as, making believe to gather flowers and at the same time to be continuing my walk, my eyes watched the on-going figure, and noted the vigilant guard he also kept upon my movements. Before him, and close beside the grassy pathway I was coming along, skirted a thicket of some length and breadth and of considerable denseness of foliage, and to this point he was evidently hastening. Arrived there, I perceived him stop and look earnestly in my direction. How wildly my heart beat! but with seeming boldness I advanced a step or two in a careless manner, examining the flowers the while. The next minute he was making his way round to the side of the bushes near the path, and was finally quite concealed from my sight, as I was also from his.

To catch me unawares was clearly his plan; he feared that any cry of alarm on my part might bring assistance he knew not; and it was but acting in accordance with his wild-animal instincts to adopt this crafty method of effecting his purpose rather than a straightforward, open one. As soon as I recovered my recollection of the omnipresence of God, which my sudden fright had momentarily scared away from my mind, I half unconsciously so gave myself up to his care that I waited to be impelled, as it were, by some inward feelings of guidance what to do, and this trust it was which saved me. Had I made the least attempt to escape too soon, had I betrayed any consciousness of the dangerous vicinity of this man, I should have been lost, but now was the moment, if ever; and yielding to an irresistible impulse, I turned and fled back the way I had come.

Never before in my life had I run so fast; on, on, without once looking behind me, and scarce feeling the soft turf beneath my feet—on, till reaching the gate, I threw myself over; and then, as Charlotte and I had before done, I stood grasping a bar, panting heavily and straining my eyes over the Flats. I was not pursued; nothing met my sight but the wild country; and I poured out a flood of thanksgiving to the great and good God who had so wonderfully sustained, guided and saved me in this my hour of great trial and danger.

Again I scanned the widespreading view, and now I distinguished the herculean form of Blurdon moving rapidly here and there. Examining more earnestly (I was possessed of a naturally very long sight), I could see him looking round the shrubs and bushes where I had so recently been standing, evidently unable to comprehend my sudden disappearance, so swift had been my flight.

Becoming fearful that he might seek me in this direction, I hastened down the field as well as my filtering steps would take me, for I was feeling quite weak now. When in the garden I stopped once more to rest a few seconds on one of the benches, and then returned to the hotel. On the balcony I met uncle, and in as few words as possible narrated to him my adventure and escape. He listened with breathless anxiety, his face paling as I proceeded, and, scarcely waiting to hear the end, hurried away, uttering an ejaculation of thanksgiving to God for my safety. In a few minutes I saw him hastening across the court toward the Flats in company with Mr. Rathfelder.

Fearing the effect which my tale might have on aunt in her delicate state, I decided to leave it to uncle whether or not to tell her, and for that reason was silent on the subject to Charlotte also, lest she might heedlessly speak of it.

We were sitting at breakfast when he returned. To my surprise he came in looking quite cheerful and satisfied, instead of anxious and distressed, as was his expression at parting with me. Smiling as he sat down to the table, he said: "You will be glad to hear, my little Mechie, that Blurdon meant no mischief. We found him leaning over the gate at the end of the field and looking about him apparently in a quiet, peaceful, meditative mood. In answer to our questions he said he had come to this part again to have another talk with the good little lady who had spoken so kindly to him the other morning, and that he thought he saw you picking flowers in the distance, and followed to see if it was really you. He seems to have the idea that you can help him with a little good advice before he leaves these parts."