Page 252 - Geoffrey Budworth & Jason Dalton "The Little Book of Incredibly Useful Knots 200 Practical Knots for Sailors"
P. 252
Highwayman’s hitch
This knot is remarkable for its ability to release extremely freely, with a tug on the free end.
Legend has it that unscrupulous types would use this knot to tie off their horses for a quick
getaway.
Begin with a bight of rope beneath the spar that you are tying to (1). Place a bight of the standing
part through the previous bight (2). Then take a bight of the working end (3) and feed it through
the last bight (4). Pull only on the standing part to tighten (5). A tug on the loose working end will
quickly release the hitch.
