the standing part of the rope, thus forming
three bights, and hold them thus with the left hand. Take the first
strand _a_ (Fig. 73) and, putting it over the next, _b_, bring it up
through the bight of the third strand _c_.

[Illustration: Fig. 73.]

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Take the end of the second strand over the third and up the bight of
the first. The last strand is brought through over the first and up
through the bight of the second. Haul taut, and lay the rope up again.
Fig. 74 shows the loops in their places with the ends through them
before they are hauled taut. Fig. 75 gives the knot finished.

[Illustration: Fig. 74. Fig. 75.]

For a double diamond we first make a single diamond, the ends are then
made to follow the lead of the single knot through two single bights,
the ends coming out on top of the knot. The last strand passes through
two double bights. The ends are then hauled taut and laid up as before
(Fig. 76).

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[Illustration: Fig. 76.]

(8). +A Shroud Knot+ is a method of joining two ropes. Each is unlaid
the necessary length, and they are then brought close together. A Wall
Knot is formed on each rope with the strands of the other (Fig. 77).

The completed knot is shown in Fig. 78, but to make a neat job the ends
should be marled and served as in Fig. 79.

[Illustration: Fig. 77. Fig. 78. Fig. 79.]

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(9). +A Spritsail Sheet Knot+.--Unlay both ends of the rope and bring
the two standing parts of the rope together as in Fig. 80.

[Illustration: Fig. 80.]

Grasping both parts of the rope at _a_, with the six strands form a
Wall Knot, that is, by passing 1 under 2, 2 under 3, 3 under 4, 4 under
5, 5 under 6, and 6 under the loop formed by 1.

This would appear too confusing if shown in a diagram, but the knot is
very easily made in practice.

Now lay any opposite two of the strands across the top {42} in an
_opposite direction_, and crown by passing the other four, each in
turn, alternately over and under these two.

Each of the six strands will then come out leading in a downward
direction alongside the strands forming the first walling.

Now follow round the walling again, when the strands will come through
in an upward direction, each alongside a strand of the first crowning.

Follow through the crowning once more, and cut off the ends short, when
a handsome and useful Stopper Knot will result, as shown in Fig. 81.

[Illustration: Fig. 81.]

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SPLICES.