Kautilya's Arthashastra 3.13.35

3.13.35

nadīvegajvālāstenavyāloparuddhaḥ sarvasvaputradārātmadānenārtas trātāram āhūya niṣtīrṇaḥ kuśalapradiṣṭaṃ vetanaṃ dadyāt //

Any person who, while he is being carried away by floods, or is caught in a fire, or is in danger from elephants or tigers, is rescued on his promise to offer to his rescuer not only the whole of his property, but also his sons, wife, and himself as slaves, shall pay only as much as will be fixed by experts. This rule shall apply to all cases where help of any kind is rendered to the afflicted.