"Was the anchor rope in good condition when you put out the anchor, Miss Burrell ?" "So far as I know.

Did it break ?" "It broke, all right.

Will you show me where you made it fast last night ?" Harriet led the way to the forward deck of the "Red Rover," pointing to a hard wood cleat.
"I made a loop in the rope and slipped it over the cleat, drawing it tight.

I do not see how it would be possible for the loop to slip off, nor, in fact, for the rope to break." "Hm-m-m-m!" pondered George, feeling the cleat with critical fingers.
"Smooth.

No chance for it to have worn through.