s spring, I got hold of the
boat's gunnel, and after a few moments my father also got hold of it
with both his hands. He was a heavy man, weighing about fifteen stones,
and could not swim. I said to him, 'Now, father, can you keep hold
while I fetch the Hull horse-boatmen?' whom we had left at the
water-side house, when he replied, 'Yes, but be very sharp, my lad.' I
then swam to the house, and called out, 'My father is overboard;' and
when I returned with the men, I was glad to hear him shout, 'I'm here.'
John Thrush, captain of the horse-boat, and Luke Dixon, soon got him
into the boat, while Mr. Wood, the landlord, brought him a glass of
brandy, which he drank. We could not persuade him to leave the boat, so
we again started for home, and as a brisk wind was blowing at the time,
in about fifteen minutes, we were safe in Hessle harbour. My mother met
us there, and I said, 'Mother, my father has been overboard, fetch
somebody to help him out of the boat.' He was stiff and cold, but with
the aid of Mr. Wright we got him ashore. Mr. W. brought him some mulled
ale and a glass of rum, which I then thought very good. We then wrapped
him in several thicknesses of warm clothing. I was much perished at the
time, but soon felt all right. Not long before this, my mother had given
me a severe flogging for bathing so often; so I looked into her face and
said, 'Mother, I think you won't flog me for bathing again, will you?'
to which she replied, 'Oh, my lad, it was a good job that thou was
there;'[2] when my father faintly added, 'Yes, if he had not been there
I should never have come to the top of the water.' And if he had he
would have been drowned, for he could not swim a yard; and had he
shouted, no one was near to render him assistance. But, thank God, I was
there, and answered the end of a gracious Providence, and that was
enough. Now, my father never liked to have this circumstance named,
though I have often heard him say, 'That lad saved my life.' Afterwards,
my mother never liked him to cross the Humber after dark, unless I was
with him; so I often had to accompany him when I would much rather have
been at a warm fireside, or asleep in bed. _Witnesses_--John Thrush,
Luke Dixon.

[Footnote 1: Those marked with a star distinguish the cases for which
Mr. Ellerthorpe received the special medal of the Royal Humane Society.]

[Footnote 2: John seems to have loved his mother with a tender, intense
affection. In a letter dated Oc