Do not make the mistake of throwing the coil "up"; throw it _out_ over the water.

The important points to remember when using a rope for rescue work are to fasten the free end so the rope will not slip out of reach; to coil the rope properly so it will not kink or knot when let out; and to make a Bowline large enough to go around the body.

When a group of Scouts make a guard line, each girl makes a Bowline in the end of her rope, large enough to put her hand through, fasten her right-hand neighbor's rope to it by means of a Sheet-bend and holds her portion of the line in place by using the Bowline in her rope for a handle.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 4. Two Half-Hitches]

Two Half-hitches are used to make fast an end of rope to a pole, post, etc. It is a knot that can be easily undone. It is used for hauling, fastening awning ropes, flag ropes, etc.

To make a Half-hitch:

Take the end in the right hand;

Pa.s.s the end under and around the pole;

Around the standing part:

Under itself, forming a bight out of which the standing part comes.

Repeat this for the second half-hitch, using standing part in place of pole.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 5. Clove-Hitch]

The purpose of a Clove-hitch, which is also called the Builders' Knot, is to make fast an end of rope, generally to a post or tree. This knot holds securely and does not slip laterally. It is of value when tethering an animal or tying a boat. It can be used for fastening an awning rope, tent ropes, for tying on splints or fastening the end of a bandage when it is used to confine a delirious person.

A fence or guard-line can be made where trees or posts are available by tying the end of the rope by means of a Half-hitch to the first tree, and then using a Clove-hitch on the other trees or posts.

To tie the Clove-hitch:

Take the end in the right hand;

Pa.s.s it around the post;

Over the standing part;

Continue around the post;

Under the standing part;

Slip the end up through the lower loop;

Pull tight.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 6. Sheep-Shank]

The purpose of a Sheep-shank is to take up slack or shorten a rope temporarily. It is used on tent ropes, tow lines.

To make the Sheep-shank:

Cross the hands and take hold of the rope;

Take up the slack by drawing the hands past each other;

Hold the two long loops firmly in one hand;

Make a bight in the rope between the loop and the end;

Pa.s.s the loop through the bight;

Do the same thing at the other end.

The knot will stay in place so long as the rope is taut.

If it is necessary to shorten a rope when neither end is held fast, make the Sheep-shank and pa.s.s each end through the bight nearest to it.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Ready For Transportation or Storage]

When in uniform a Girl Scout hangs her rope on a belt-hook placed in her belt or skirt-binding.

_To have the rope in a convenient form:_

Make two loops five or six inches long at one end of the rope;

Leaving a small bight at the top to go over the hook, bind the loops together by winding the standing part around them;

Hold the end fast by putting it through the remaining bight.

_To serve or whip the ends of a Scout rope so they will not fray:_

Take a piece of soft twine twelve or fourteen inches long;

Make a loop two inches long at one end;

Lay the loop on the rope, the end of the twine extending beyond the rope end an inch;

Bind the rope and loop together by winding the standing part tightly and closely around them;

Slip the end down through the loop, which must not be entirely covered by the binding;

Pull the other end of the twine and draw the loop under the binding.

As the twine will be held fast, the ends can be cut off close to the rope.

A "knot board," showing the various knots tied perfectly and names attached, ends of rope whipped, bights, loops and coils, is an interesting bit of work for a Troop of Girl Scouts to do. The board hung in the Troop room would be a help to new Scouts, and it could be loaned to Troops that are not registered, but are learning the Tenderfoot test, which includes knot-tying.