In a little time I observed the noi

In a little time I observed the noise and flutter of wings to increase very fast,
and my box was tossed up and down like a sign in a windy day. I heard several
bangs or buffets, as I thought, given to the eagle (for such I am certain it must
have been, that held the ring of my box in his beak), and then all on a sudden felt
myself falling perpendicularly down for above a minute, but with such incredible
swiftness, that I almost lost my breath. My fall was stopped by a terrible squash,
that sounded louder to my ears than the cataract of Niagara; after which I was
quite in the dark for another minute, and then my box began to rise so high that I
could see light from the tops of the windows. I now perceived I was fallen into the
sea. My box, by the weight of my body, the goods that were in, and the broad
plates of iron fixed for strength at the four corners of the top and bottom, floated
about five feet deep in the water. I did then, and do now suppose, that the eagle
which flew away with my box was pursued by two or three others, and forced to
let me drop while he defended himself against the rest, who hoped to share in the
prey. The plates of iron fastened at the bottom of the box (for those were the
strongest) preserved the balance while it fell, and hindered it from being broken
on the surface of the water. Every joint of it was well grooved, and the door did
not move on hinges, but up and down like a sash, which kept my closet so tight
that very little water came in. I got with much difficulty out of my hammock,
having first ventured to draw back my slip-board on the roof already mentioned,
contrived on purpose to let in air, for want of which I found myself almost stifled.