rted on his career, the young man
may, in later days, become a general.

While the cadet is at West Point he is paid a salary that is just
about sufficient for his needs and leaves enough over to enable
him to buy his first set of uniforms and other equipment as an
army officer.

West Point is no place for idlers, nor for boys who dislike discipline.
It is a severe training that the cadet receives, and the education
furnished him by the United States is a magnificent and costly
one. It costs Uncle Sam more than twenty thousand dollars for
each cadet he educates and graduates from the United States Military
Academy.

The same general statement is true regarding the United States
Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. In the latter institution,
however, the cadet learns how to become an officer in the United
States Navy.

Now, here were both grand opportunities, offered together.

While Dick Prescott had been waiting, hoping and praying for the
cadetship at West Point; Dave Darrin had been equally wistful
for the chance to go to Annapolis.

"Our chances have come, old chum!" cried Dick, looking into the
glowing face of Darrin.

"Yes; and of course an Army or Navy officer should be a brave
man. But now the chance has come, I find myself an utter coward,"
confessed Dave.

"How so?"

"I'm in a blue funk for fear some other fellow will get it away
from me," confessed Darrin honestly. "And if I fail in this great
ambition of my life, I'm wondering if I'll have the nerve to go
on living afterwards."

"Brace up!" laughed Dick protestingly.

"Now, honestly, old fellow, aren't you just badly scared!" Dave
demanded.

"Whisper, Dave! I am," Dick admitted.

"Well, there is nothing like having some one that you can confess
everything to, is there?" muttered Darrin.

"I guess it has done us both good to own up," laughed Dick. "But
see here!"

"Well?"

"I simply won't allow myself to be scared."

"Then you're as keen for West Point as I am for Annapolis," retorted
Darrin suspiciously.

"Dave, old fellow, you know what the Gridley spirit demands?
You know how we and the rest of the fellows managed to win eternally
in athletics? Just because we made up our minds that defeat was
impossible."

"That's fine," laughed Dave. "But we'll probably have to buck
up against more fellows than we do on an athletic field. And
probably dozens of them go in with the same determination."

"I don't care," declared Pr