Leaders. 81 



prefer to knot the line to the leader in the following 

 manner : 



Fig. 27. A, liue; B, leader. 



This knot is theoretically a perfect knot, in that it will 

 stand forever if so desired, yet may be loosed with ease 

 at any time. The knot as first figured, is not yet drawn 

 together. Care must be taken that this knot does not 

 " upset " when tightened that is, the knot must be on 

 the loop of the leader itself, and by no means on the 

 line, since in the one case it will stand, and in the other 

 it will not. This will be more clear if we investigate 

 the principle on which it is constructed. On examining 

 the diagram, it appears that the end of the line is 

 first run through the loop of the leader, then wrapped 

 entirely around the outside of the loop, and lastly is 

 tucked between the line on one side and both parts of 

 the loop on the other. Clearly this knot cannot slip, un- 

 less the end of the line slips at the same time. But the 

 greater the strain, the more firmly that end is compressed 



6 



