He went nearer, and found that it was a gray and black shawl, that had caught on some large hooks which had been driven into the wooden pillars for some purpose or other--a woman's shawl, sure as could be; some lady, he thought, had dropped it over the pier, and it had caught on these hooks below the water.

Jim was pleased.
He thought, if worth anything, he might get a trifle reward for it; if not, he might take it home to his old mother.
"He took his boat to the spot, but, sir, to Jim's surprise, he found it was not only a shawl, but a bundle.

He thought he had found a treasure, and hastened to get it quickly off the hooks.

It had been caught more tightly by accident than it could have been placed there by human hands.

It was tight on the hooks, and he had to tear the shawl to get it off.