of his deliverance now as he did fifteen years ago. _Witness_--Henry
Bolton.

_Thirty-seventh._--ROBERT WOODMAN.* (1854.)

He was a youth belonging to the brig 'Janet,' of South Shields, which
was leaving the Victoria Dock, Hull, and he had the misfortune, while
unfastening the check-rope, attached to the 'Dolphin,' to fall
overboard. For some time he struggled in the water, helpless, and it was
apparent that he was drowning. At the time I was on board the Dock
Company's tug, which was about thirty yards from the spot, when,
fortunately, I happened to see the youth, and I immediately sprang into
the water with all my clothes on. I succeeded in seizing the boy as he
was sinking, and placed him in such a position as enabled me to keep him
above the water, when I made the best of my way to the brig's boat, a
few yards off. The poor lad, in his almost insensible state, got upon my
head and clung to me tightly, and in a few moments, so entwined himself
around my arms as to render me almost incapable of swimming, and the
probability at that time was, that both of us would be drowned. I saw
and felt my perilous position, as he threatened to draw me again into
the water, by his desperate struggles; but at last, with the strength
and force of desperation, I managed to reach the painter of the boat,
which fortunately being 'taut' from the ring, enabled me to raise myself
and the youth out of the water, and we were both got into the boat,
though in a most exhausted condition; indeed I had to be conveyed home.
The boy soon recovered and left the dock the next tide, and I never saw
him again. But I wrote to the captain of the ship, and received this
beautiful letter from the youth's father:--

My Dear Sir,--The captain of the brig 'Janet' has sent me the very
kind letter from you, wishing to know the age and name of my boy,
which I am glad to tell you. His name is Robert Woodman, and he is
seventeen years of age. I live in London, and I am very sorry to
tell you that it is not in my power to give you anything or I would
most gladly have done so. But do accept my sincere thanks; and I do
hope, Sir, that if it should please God to spare my son to manhood,
that he will in some way present you a proof of his gratitude for
the great deed of daring that you have done for him; for the
captain said the boy could not have been saved had it not been for
you. Please to accept my most