Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

The New York Truth Teller, on the authority of a correspondent, states that a sailor in the Greenland Fishery, after having struck a whale, fell overboard; but soon found himself mounted on the back of the whale, and had presence of mind enough to put his hand in the blower or spout hole to secure his seat, being unprovided at the time with either saddle or bridle. Contrary to custom, John’s pony kept near the surface of the water, and bore him in such style and at such rate as never mortal rode before-the boats all the while in full chase, and the crews over and over singing out “hold on John.” In this way he posted full a mile, and was then taken on board one of the boats.