Abstract: A cable tensioning device having a frame, a cable-winding drum carried in the frame, ratchet wheel means attached to the drum, a reciprocable handle bearing a driving pawl for advancing the ratchet wheel means, and a holding pawl normally limiting rotation of the drum to a single direction. The ratchet wheel means may comprise a pair of toothed ratchet wheels respectively spaced on either side of the drum, and engageable with a driving pawl having similarly spaced teeth to provide symmetrical driving of the drum.