The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1866-04-25
A Miraculous Voyage upon a
Whales Back in the Gulf
of St. Lawrence.

The following extraordinary narrative
of voyage upon the back OF whale is
translated from La Canadian newspaper
of the Gath january, 1866. Although
the statements appear to be incredible,
they are vouched for on good authority
Mr.. EDITOR: Will you reserve a
space in your columns for the publicity of
II terrible and miraculous occurrence which
took place at Fox River, district of
Gaspe; a truly astonishing fact, but one
which can nevertheless be supported by
the most incontestible evidence.
Last summer, while visiting the differ
ent posts in this district, | met at Fox
river with Mr.. Narcisse Bernier, mer-
chant of St. Thomas, Montmagny, who
was there on matters tonnecte with his
Business.
One fine day we decided upon making
a TIP upon the water, with the view of
enjoying ourselves fishing for cod. A
favorable wind carried us quickly to
distance of about five miles from the
coast, where we threw in our lines, and
set ourselves TO fish. To our great salts
faction we took a large quantity but
This satisfaction and our position of tran
quill security, from which we gazed upon
the sea, smooth az sheet of ice, was
soon changed to one of terrible anxiety as
far as we were concerned. The fish,
hitherto so plentiful, seemed to have
deserted us quite suddenly; and profit
ing by the occasion, sought repose from
the fatigue in the bottom of the barge,
leaving my friend Mr.. Bernicr to continue
his occu patton. was soon in the arms
OF Morpheus; but you cannot conceive,
Mr.. Editor, my CONSERVATION on hearing
the dolesome cry of 'IIelp! help!" ring
through my ears in accents of the most
fearful energy. The moment l heard
this voice of terror, found myself raised
upon my feet as if by some hand; look
ed in the barge, and on the surrounding
water-my friend had disappeared. A
fresh cry aroused me from my stupor,
and bcheld MIR. Bernier, boat hook in
hand, on the back of an enormous fish,
which recognized TO be whale.
to make myself heard, l hastened to raise
the Grapplings in order to approach him
but tho whale uttered a frightful snort,
started off with terrific speed, and in
moment was out of sight. ''Oh Eter-
nal Heaven" | cried, "Thou who pre-
served Jonah, would it be impossible TO
protect my friend upon the back of sim.
liar monster I"
Coming to myself, thought Of return
ing, and set sail for the land. Mr.. Ber-
nier was greatly esteemed in these parts,
and sorrow soon spread itself through the
village and neighboring posts. In an
agony of mind, and exhausted with
fatigue, l retired to bed early, in order to
deliver myself more completely 10 the
thoughts If the sad fate of my friend.
You will be equally astonished with
me, Mr.. Editor, in reading the following:
Early next morning | was aroused by a
knocking at the door of my room. bade
the person come in. What did behold
"a phantom or human being' No,
not phantom; well, then, man. Ii
was Mr.. Berner himself, who came
smilingly to shake hands with me.
believed myself dreaming, yet there he
was in flesh and blood. You can easily
understand the feelings | experienced in
bcholding my resuscitated friend, for |
thought him dead at the time. He re-
counted to me as follows the details OF his
terrible adventure -