tales-of-Fogo-Island

that he would not return him to the ship. He also tried to tell him that he wouldreturn under the cover of darkness with help. Later that night, Mr. Ludlow andhis friend Charlie Chaffey, returned and found the frightened young man. Theytook him to Mr. Ludlow's home and gave him dry clothes and a hot meal.Aksel was exhausted and quickly fell asleep. In the days that followed, theyoung hideaway hid in Charlie Chaffey's unfinished house during the day andreturned to Mr. Ludlow's house during the night for food and to sleep.As if the young man did not have enough to worry him, a storm delayed thedeparture of the Katrina for nine days. During this time, the ship's Captainoffered a twenty-dollar reward for the return of the missing crew member. Thiswas a large sum of money in 1916. However, Mr. Ludlow and Mr. Chaffeynever considered turning the young man over. In fact, they did everything theycould to protect him. After a long wait, the Katrina finally left Fogo - withoutAksel Neilson.The Ludlow family continued to help Aksel after the Katrina left port. Afterthree or four weeks, they found work for Aksel at Campbell's lumber campnear Millertown. Mr. Ludlow, Mr. Chaffey and some of their friends gave theyoung man some clothes and supplies and found passage for him on theClyde.Photograph of Aksel NeilsonAksel made it to the lumber camp safely, but did not stay there for long. Hecould not speak English and the other men began to think he was a Germanspy. They often saw him writing notes and drawing simple maps. On New