I  was  four  or  five  miles  from  the  earth, at  least,  when  it  broke.  I  fell  to  the ground  with  such  amazing  violence,  that I  found  myself  stunned,  and  in  a  hole about  nine  fathoms  deep,  made  by  the weight  of  my  body  falling  from  so  great  a  height.  I  recovered, but  knew  not  how  to  get  out  again  ;  however,  necessity  is  a good  counsellor.     I  dug  a   sort  of  flight   of  stairs   with  my finger  nails  [the  Baron's  nails  were  then  of  forty  years'  growth], and  easily  accomplished  it.

- Chapter 5