ROLLING HITCH The rolling hitch, formerly known as the Magnus or Manger's hitch, is the best knot for bending a small rope toa larger one under strain and is used both at sea and in climbing. The knot can be slid along the heavier rope when the lighter line is perpendicular to it, but the knot tightens as soon as there is any lateral strain on the lighter rope. It was formerly used by sailors to hoist the yard horizontally and to uncoil the hawsers from the anchor capstan. In climbing, a similar knot, the Prusik knot, is made in a loop and is used on the ascent rope.j | j Method Take two turns with the lighter rope around the heavier one working downwards (1). Then pass the end over the standing part and make a half hitch around the heavy rope above the first two turns. The end should be parallel to the standing part (2, 3). Pull the standing part downwards, and the knot is secured (4) SLIPPED ROLLING HITCH The hitch is slipped to make the knot easier to untie. This is done by making the final tuck with a bight instead of the end (5) 62HIGHWAY- MAN’S HITCH, OR DRAW HITCH The highwayman’s hitch is alleged to have been used by highwaymen to tie up their horses. One pull on the end and the hitch was undone. Itis avery simple knot, both to make and to untie. Tension on the standing part, however, will not undo the knot, and itis useful in various situations, such as lowering objects and making temporary fastenings. 64