MAJ^TJAL OP PACK TEANSPOKTATION. 119 



bring each section snug up and tie down with cord across the inter- 

 section or 'middle, to hold the strands to place during the operation. 

 Note. — There is a back and a front in the formation (or twist) of 

 all ropes, and also in the formation (or plaiting) of all ropes, whips, 

 etc. The back is that portion facing toward the body; the front is 

 that portion facing from the body and is the under or bottom side 

 of the twist in the formation of the rope; therefore, in short splicing 

 place the back of one section on the front of the other section so as 

 to follow the twist in splicing the rope; now pass each strand from 

 right to left over and under its mate on the twist or section of rope; 

 then take two more turns, drawing each strand down snugly durmg 

 the operation; turn end for end and proceed in similar manner; cut 

 off all remaining portions of the strands extending from the splice 

 or rope ; roll the splice under foot or something smooth and solid and 

 the splice is formed. Neatness or handiness in the packer is every- 

 thing in forming all splices, knots, and hitches. See Figs. 95 to 98. 



HOW TO FORM A LONG SPLICE ON ROPE. 



Sec. 49. Take two sections of rope of same size diameter and 

 unravel one strand of each section about 12 inches long, or as long 

 as may be determined; now place the rope held in the right hand 

 on top of the rope held in the left hand, so as to have the unraveled 

 strand of top section adjoining the unraveled strand of bottom sec- 

 tion (in the operation of the splice it may be well to tie the sections 

 of rope with a cord at point of intersection of the unraveled portions) ; 

 now, holding each section in the left hand, unravel the forward or 

 bottom section of rope, same strand, one or two more turns and 

 follow this unraveling. by the unraveled strand of top section; con- 

 tinue the operation until about 4 inches of the top strand is reached; 

 now take tne strand of the top section and pass it over and under 

 the strand of the forward or bottom section and draw down snug, 

 so that the tie or slip knot will lay smooth ; now turn the rope end for 

 end, and hold the rope in the left hand as before, and unravel the 

 remaining strands of each section until the last one or two turns are 

 reached. In unraveling the last one or two turns be careful to have 

 the strand of the top section meet the strand of the bottom section, 

 so that the strand of the top section will follow up the vacant turn 

 of the bottom strand until about 4 inches of the top strand is reached, 

 and form a slip knot as before; if carefulness is used this will leave 

 the remaining strand of top and bottom section in alignment, one 

 with the other, showing there is no interference in the lay of the 

 twist of the rope; now take the strand of the top section, which will 

 be the strand adjoining the left hand, and pass this strand over and 

 under the strand of the forward section and draw down snug; this 

 operation leaves all the strands engaged, each strand having occu- 

 pied the place made vacant by its mate. To finish the splice, unravel 

 each strand until the slip knot is reached, divide the cords of one 

 strand, and pass one division, or half the cords, from right to left over 

 and under the adjoining strand of rope and draw down snug; proceed 

 in similar manner with the remaining five strands, using one-half of 

 the cords of each strand as before; now cut off all remaining portions 

 extending on rope and roll the rope under foot on board or something 

 smooth and the splice is formed ; the operation when neatly done will 

 show the rope of same diameter all through the splice. See Fig. 99. 



