Third, A piece of whip- cord about six yards long.

Fourth, A sailmaker's needle of a small size.
Fifth, A ship's telescope, which I happened to have in my hand at the time the ship struck, and which I had clung to firmly all the time I was in the water.

Indeed it was with difficulty that Jack got it out of my grasp when I was lying insensible on the shore.

I cannot understand why I kept such a firm hold of this telescope.

They say that a drowning man will clutch at a straw.