Page:The American Boy's Handy Book edition 1.djvu/106

variety of uses it may be put to will be at once suggested by the diagrams.

Lines that have both ends made fast may have weights attached to them by means of the sinker hitch (Fig. 57, D, D, D).

To accomplish this, first gather up some slack and make it in the form of the loop (Fig. 58, XIV.); bend the loop back on itself (Fig. 58, XV.) and slip the weight through the double loop thus formed (Fig. 58, XVI.); draw tight by pulling the two top lines, and the sinker hitch is finished (Fig. 58, XVII.).

The "fire-escape sling" previously mentioned, and illustrated by Fig. 57, E, is made with a double line.

Proceed at first as you would to make a simple bowline knot (Fig. 58, XVIII.).

After you have run the end loop up through the turn (Fig. 58, XIX.), bend it downward and over the bottom loop and turn, then up again until it is in the position shown in Fig. 58, XX.; pull it downward until the knot is tightened, as in Fig. 57, E, and it makes a safe sling in which to lower a person from any height. The longer loop serves for a seat, and the shorter one, coming under the arms, makes a rest for the back.

Fig. 58, XXI. is called a "boat knot," and is made with the aid of a stick. It is an excellent knot for holding weights which may want instant detachment. To detach it, lift the weight slightly and push out the stick, and instantly the knot is untied.

Fig. 58, XXII. Commencement of a "six-fold knot."

Fig. 58, XXIII. Six-fold knot completed by drawing the two ends with equal force. A knot drawn in this manner is said to be "nipped."

Fig. 58, XXIV. A simple hitch or "double" used in making loop knots.