Page 422 - The Ashley Book of Knots

TRICKS AND PUZZLES

if at this point the knot appears bunchy and unattractive, as this

merely adds to the effectiveness of the trick. Grasp the ends of the

cord, count three and, at the count of three, give a strong jerk. If

the rope straightens (as it sometimes will) and nothing results, do

not allow your audience to think the failure wholly unexpected.

The next time make the hitches or loops a little larger. When the

knot finally appears, a quick prod may be needed to make it abso-

lutely symmetrical.

2569. The THEODORE 'KNOT. This is the cowboy'S most elaborate

backl1more, a name applied to any temporary or emergency bridle

or halter. The knot was shown to me by Will James. It is based on

the sailor's MULTI-STRAND DIAMOND KNOT and the trick is to succeed

• • •
In tymg It.

To tie: Double a long piece of cord and turn the ends up even

with the center loop. Stop all four parts together at half length.

Allow the center loop to hang downward and stop the loop above the

first stop.

Turn the original center loop upward in a right diagonal, and

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reeve the ends down through it as in the first diagram. Next reeve -
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the two ends upward and to the ri ht, moving the left one first and

tucking it through the top bight 0 the leg of the loop that was first

tucked. Tuck the remaining end through the next bight to the right,

cut the second stop and tighten the knot partially. Finally cut the

first stop and draw the knot snug. After practice the knot should be

tied in hand without employing any stops.

Philip Ashton Rollins tells me that this knot was originally called

"FIADOR." It came from South America by way of Mexico. When

Theodore Roosevelt visited our Southwest after the Spanish-

American War, the name was changed to "THEODORE" quite spon-

taneously.

2570. Threading a loop: Leave an end about ten inches long and

take several rums around the left thumb (four is about the right

number) in the direction shown in the diagram, finishing with a

very small loop, at the thumb end. The smallness of the loop makes

the trick more effective. Announce that you will drive the end

through the loop with one dart of the right hand. Take the left end 2S70

in the right hand, aim the tip at the loop and approach the loop sev-

eral times, then quickly dart the end directly by the tip of the

thumb until it fetches, when it will be found that the loop is

threaded. If the end is held taut it will not be noticed that the loop

has been threaded in the wrong direction, but to make the matter

doubly sure, the forefinger of the left hand may be retracted a bit,

which will turn the loop in the right direction. The end that was

darted has passed under the thumb, and one turn has disappeared

from the thumb.

2571. "Rabbit in the Hole." Shown to me by Dr. John H. Cun-

25" 7'

ningham, Waldo Howland and Melbourne Christopher, the pro-

fessional knot magician. The latter is the most finished performer

of knot tricks that I have ever had the pleasure of seeing at work.

This one belongs to that annoying "Just-see-if-you-can-do-it"

class of tricks. The string is held for a moment as in the first diagram,

then the remainder is done in a flash, and the little loop which repre-

sents the rabbit is held aloft.