full view of the crowd of officers and ladies,
and appeared in ranks at roll-call, as innocent as anybody. It is
true my up-train did not stop at Garrison's or Cold Spring, but
the conductor, upon a hint as to the necessity of the case, kindly
slackened the speed of the express so that I could jump off from
the rear platform. In due time I repaid Bonaparte the borrowed
five dollars, but the wager was never paid. The only other bet I
made at West Point was on Buchanan's election; but that was in the
interest of a Yankee who was not on speaking terms with the Southerner
who offered the wager. I have never had any disposition to wager
anything on chance, but have always had an irresistible inclination
to back my own skill whenever it has been challenged. The one
thing most to be condemned in war is the leaving to chance anything
which by due diligence might be foreseen. In the preparations for
defense, especially, there is no longer any need that anything be
left to chance or uncertainty.

THE WEST POINT BIBLE-CLASS

I attended the Bible-class regularly every Sunday after I went to
West Point, and rejoiced greatly in that opportunity to hear the
Scriptures expounded by the learned doctor of divinity of the
Military Academy. I had never doubted for a moment that every word
of the Bible was divinely inspired, for my father himself had told
me it was. But I always had a curious desire to know the reason
of things; and, more than that, some of my fellows were inclined
to be a little skeptical, and I wanted the reasons with which I
could overwhelm their unworthy doubts. So I ventured to ask the
professor one Sunday what was the evidence of divine inspiration.
He answered only what my father had before told me, that it was
"internal evidence"; but my youthful mind had not yet perceived
that very clearly. Hence I ventured very modestly and timidly to
indicate my need of some light that would enable me to see. The
learned doctor did not vouchsafe a word in reply, but the look of
amazement and scorn he gave me for my display of ignorance sealed
my lips on that subject forever. I have never since ventured to
ask anybody any questions on that subject, but have studied it out
for myself as well as I could. Soon after that the doctor preached
a sermon in which he denounced skepticism in his own vigorous terms,
and consigned to perdition all the great teachers of heresy, of