Legend has it that he gave three bags of gold over three nights to a man who had no money for his daughters' dowries. According to the story, it was only with the help of Nicholas's gold were they spared from prostitution. Nicholas then is said to have traveled to the Holy Land.
Saint Nicholas Saving Three Prisoners
Other early stories tell of him calming a storm at sea, saving three innocent soldiers from wrongful execution, and chopping down a tree possessed by a demon.
Saint Nicholas Saving from the Storm
More than once, the saint saved those drowning in the sea and provided release from captivity.