and under or behind the standing part, as shown in A, Fig. 30.  The end of the rope may then be laid over and under the standing part and back over itself.  This knot may be instantly released by merely pulling out the toggle.  Almost as quickly made and unfastened is the “Slippery Hitch” (Fig. 32).  To make this, run the end of the rope through the ring or eye to which it is being fastened, then back over the standing part and pull a loop, or bight, back through the “cuckold’s neck” thus formed (Fig. 33).  To untie, merely pull on the free end.  Two half-hitches, either around a post or timber or around the standing part of the rope, make an ideal and quickly tied fastening (Figs. 34 and 35).  To make these, pass the end around the post, ring, or other object, then over and around the standing part between the post and itself, then under and around the standing part and between its own loop and the first one formed.  After a little practice you can tie this knot almost instantly and by merely throwing a couple of turns around a post, two half-hitches may be formed instantly.  This knot will hold forever without loosening, and even on a smooth, round stick or spar it will stand an enormous strain without slipping.  A more secure knot for this same purpose is the “Clove Hitch” (Fig. 36), sometimes known as the “Builders’ Hitch.”  To make this, pass the end of rope around the spar or timber, then over itself; over and around the spar, and pass the end under itself and between rope and spar, as shown in the illustration.  The Clove hitch with ends knotted becomes the “Gunners’ Knot” (Fig. 37).  These are among the most valuable and important of knots and are useful in a thousand and one places.  The Clove hitch will hold fast on a smooth timber and is used extensively by builders for fastening the stageing to the upright posts.  It is also useful in making a tow-line fast to a wet spar, or timber, and even on a slimy and slippery spile it will seldom slip.  For this purpose the “Timber Hitch” (Fig. 38) is even better than the Clove hitch.  It is easily made by passing the end of a rope around the spar or log, round the standing part of the rope and then twist it three or more times around, under and over itself.  If you wish this still more secure, a single half-hitch may be taken with the line a couple of feet further along the spar (Fig. 39).

[Illustration:  FIG. 30.—­Lark’s head with toggle (A).]

[Illustration:  FIG. 31.—­Lark’s head with toggle (A) withdrawn.]

[Illustration:  FIG. 32.—­Slippery hitch (complete).]

[Illustration:  FIG. 33—­Slippery hitch (tying).]

[Illustration:  FIGS. 34 and 35.—­Half-hitches.]

[Illustration:  FIG. 36 A.—­Clove hitch or builder’s hitch (tying).]

[Illustration:  FIG. 36 B.—­Clove hitch (complete).]

[Illustration:  FIG. 37.—­Gunner’s knot.]

[Illustration:  FIG. 38.—­Timber hitch.]