Note that it is not being "cut" lengthwise, but instead is being "split" lengthwise... it's an important distinction. An alternative for split could be "un-br

Note that it is not being "cut" lengthwise, but instead is being "split" lengthwise... it's an important distinction. An alternative for split could be "un-braid". Some of the comments below yours seem to be confusing the 2 times the author mentions the dividing of the rope. The 1st is when he outlines the problem (at the beginning) >Yet he divides the rope in half, ties the two parts together, and escapes to his freedom. The 2nd is when the author provides the answer (at the end) > The answer: he split the rope lengthwise, tied the two halves together and shimmied to freedom.