"I caught a glimpse. It was long, perhaps a snake or an eel. But I thought I saw a face that looked... human." Though who knows how accurate her impression was, given the circumstances. "I'm not sure how large it is. Or how heavy."

She starts to untie the rope around her waist. As much as she would jump in again if she felt it would help, that would likely amount to suicide. Might as well put the rope to a different use.