Halter, Slip, or Running Knot
The halter, slip-knot, and hitching-tie.
The halter or slip knot is often convenient, but should never be used around the neck of an animal, for if either end is pulled it will slip and tighten, thereby strangling the creature.
First form a bight, then with one end of the rope make a single tie around the other rope ([Fig. 68]).
Half-Hitch
If you have anything to do with horses or boats you must know how to make the proper ties for hitching the horse to a post, or a boat to a tree, stump, or anything else that is handy.
The half-hitch is a loop around a rope with the short end secured under the loop ([Fig. 69]). This answers for a temporary, but not a secure, fastening.
Timber-Hitch
When you want a temporary fastening, secure yet easily undone, make a timber-hitch ([Fig. 70]). Pass the rope around an object, take a half-hitch around the rope, and pass the short end once more between the rope and the object.
Hitching Tie
If the hitching tie is properly made, and the knot turned to the right of the post, the stronger the pull on the long end of the rope, the tighter the hold, and the loop will not slip down even on a smooth, plain post. If the knot is turned to the left, or is directly in front, the loop will not pull tight and will slide down. For the reason that the loop will tighten, the hitching tie should never be used around the neck of a horse, as it might pull tight and the animal be strangled.
In making the hitching tie, first pass the rope from left to right around the post, tree, or stump; bring it together and hold in the left hand. The left hand is represented by the arrow ([Fig. 71]). With the right hand throw the short end of the rope across the ropes in front of the left hand, forming a loop below the left hand ([Fig. 72]). Slip the right hand through this loop, grasp the rope just in front, and pull it back to form a bight, as you make a chain-stitch in crocheting ([Fig. 73]). Down through this last bight pass the end of the rope and pull the knot tight ([Fig. 74]).