e block of a tackle. First throw back a bight as in Fig.
46.

[Illustration: Fig. 46.]

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Then taking hold of _a_ and _b_ in either hand twist them up as in Fig.
47; bring together the two eyes _a_ and _b_ and hook in the tackle.

[Illustration: Fig. 47.]

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KNOTS, BENDS, AND HITCHES FOR UNITING ROPES.

(1). +A Reef Knot+.--The simplest of all knots, and is always used
when a common tie is required. Its formation may be easily traced in
Figs. 48, 49, 50. Having constructed the knot as far as Fig. 48, be
sure part _a_ is kept in front of part _b_ as here shown, and the end
_c_ led in according to the direction of the dotted line.

[Illustration: Fig. 48. Fig. 49. Fig. 50.]

(2). +A Common Bend or Sheet Bend+.--In making a bend the ends of the
two ropes are not used simultaneously as in forming a reef knot, but an
eye or loop is first formed in the end of one of the ropes as in Fig.
51, and the other rope's end is then rove through it in various ways
according to the bend desired.

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[Illustration: Fig. 51.]

To form a Sheet Bend, pass the second rope's end underneath the eye at
point _a_ and bring up through the loop, then form with it a half hitch
round _c_ and _b_ (Fig. 52).

[Illustration: Fig. 52.]

It will hold still better and is less likely to jamb if the end _c_ is
passed round again as in Fig. 53.

[Illustration: Fig. 53.]

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(3). For bending two hauling lines together use a +Carrick Bend+.
First form with hawser No. 1 a loop as in Fig. 54.

[Illustration: Fig. 54.]

Pass the second hawser under the first at _a_, bring up through the eye
_b_, back it over the cross at _c_, and bring up again towards you
through the eye _b_, and then stop the ends of each hawser to their own
respective parts (Fig. 55).

[Illustration: Fig. 55.]

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(4). _A Double Carrick Bend_ is formed in precisely a similar manner,
but a complete round turn is taken around the cross of the first hawser
at _c_, and then led up again through the eye _b_ and finished off as
before (Fig. 56).

[Illustration: Fig. 56.]

(5). +A Diamond Knot+ formed by the two ends of a rope is really a
fancy knot. It is often made with Hambro' line in forming lanyards for
marline-spikes, knives, etc. It is a pretty knot and very easily made.

First lay one of the cords in a loop shaped as in Fig. 57.

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Notice carefully how this loop is lettered, and then, taking up the
second cord, lay