Where it is desired to equip the members of the troop with a standard uniform the following equipment is suggested: Hat, Shirt, Coat, Breeches or Knickerbockers, Belt, Leggings or Stockings, shoes, Haversack.

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Other combinations may be made according to the resources of the boys forming the troop.

However, it is recommended that each troop decide upon a definite combination to be worn by its members so that all of the scouts in the troop may dress alike. Each boy should pay for his own supplies and equipment. Soliciting donations for this purpose should be prohibited.

A complete list of all supplies and equipment with full information about places where same can be secured is given in the appendix of this book.

KNOTS EVERY SCOUT SHOULD KNOW

_By Samuel A. Moffat, Boy Scouts of America_

Every scout knows what rope is. From the earliest moment of his play life he has used it in connection with most of his games. In camp life and on hikes he will be called upon to use it again and again. It is therefore not essential to describe here the formation of rope; its various sizes and strength. The important thing to know is how to use it to the best advantage. To do this an intelligent understanding of the different knots and how to tie them is essential. Every day sailors, explorers, mechanics, and mountain-climbers risk their lives on the knots that they tie. Thousands of lives have been sacrificed to ill-made knots. The scout therefore should be prepared in an emergency, or when necessity demands, to tie the right knot in the right way.

There are three qualities to a good knot: 1. Rapidity with which it can be tied. 2. Its ability to hold fast when pulled tight, and 3. The readiness with which it can be undone.

The following knots, recommended to scouts, are the most serviceable because they meet the above requirements and will be of great help in scoutcraft. If the tenderfoot will follow closely the various steps indicated in the diagrams, he will have little difficulty in reproducing them at pleasure.

In practising knot-tying a short piece of hemp rope may be used. To protect the ends from fraying a scout should know how to "whip" them.

The commonest method of "whipping" is as follows:

[Ill.u.s.tration: Whipping.]

Lay the end of a piece of twine along the end of the rope. {49} Hold it to the rope with the thumb of your left hand while you wind the standing part around it and the rope until the end of the twine has been covered. Then with the other end of the twine lay a loop back on the end of the rope and continue winding the twine upon this second end until all is taken up. The end is then pulled back tight and cut off close to the rope.

For the sake of clearness a scout must constantly keep in mind these three princ.i.p.al parts of the rope:

[Ill.u.s.tration: Rope loop. (tr)]

1. _The Standing Part_--The long unused portion of the rope on which he works;

2. _The Bight_--The loop formed whenever the rope is turned back upon itself; and,

3. _The End_--The part he uses in leading. Before proceeding with the tenderfoot requirements, a scout should first learn the two primary knots: the overhand and figure-of-eight knots.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Overhand knot.]

_The Overhand Knot_.

Start with the position shown in the preceding diagram. Back the end around the standing part and up through the bight and draw tight.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Figure eight knot.]

_The Figure of Eight Knot_. Make a bight as before. Then lead the end around back of the standing part and down through the bight.

After these preliminary steps, the prospective tenderfoot may proceed to learn the required knots.

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[Ill.u.s.tration: Reef knot.]

_Square or Reef Knot_. The commonest knot for tying two ropes together.

Frequently used in first-aid bandaging. Never slips or jams; easy to untie.

[Ill.u.s.tration: False reef knot.]

_False Reef or Granny_. If the ends are not crossed correctly when making the reef knot, the false reef or granny is the result. This knot is always bad.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Sheet bend knot.]

_Sheet Bend or Weaver's Knot_. This knot is used in bending the sheet to the clew of a sail and in tying two rope-ends together.

Make a bight with one rope A, B, then pa.s.s end C, of other rope up through and around the entire bight and bend it under its own standing part.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Bowline knot.]

_The Bowline_. A noose that neither jams nor slips. Used in lowering a person from a burning building, etc.

Form a small loop on the standing part leaving the end long enough for the size of the noose required. Pa.s.s the end up through the bight around the standing part and down through the bight again. To tighten, hold noose in position and pull standing part.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Halter knot.]

_Halter, Slip, or Running Knot_. A bight is first formed and an overhand knot made with the end around the standing part.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Sheepshank knot.]

_Sheepshank_. Used for shortening ropes. Gather up the amount to be shortened, then make a half hitch round each of the bends as shown in the diagram.

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[Ill.u.s.tration: Clove hitch knot.]

_Clove Hitch_. Used to fasten one pole to another in fitting up scaffolding; this knot holds snugly; is not liable to slip laterally.

Hold the standing part in left hand, then pa.s.s the rope around the pole; cross the standing part, making a second turn around the pole, and pa.s.s the end under the last turn.