it. Of course if he has too long a tongue or too small a head it
might shut him out."

"Of course," assented John. "How does a fellow get a chance to
try the examination anyway?"

"He has to be named by his congressman. Most of them, I guess,
have a preliminary examination for all the boys that want to
enter and then select the one who passes the best examination.
But even if he passes, his troubles have only begun, for they
make every fellow work his way."

"The government appropriates some money for every cadet, doesn't
it?" inquired John.

"Yes," replied George, "$709.50 per year. That is supposed to
cover the necessary expenses. It is not only hard work but the
boys don't get but one leave of absence in all the course, and
even that isn't given until after the first two years."

"But they have vacations, don't they?" inquired John.

"If you want to call them vacations," laughed Grant. "From about
the middle of June to the end of August the cadets go into camp.
They are busy every day."

"What does a fellow have to pass an examination in in order to
enter West Point?"

"English grammar, English composition, algebra through quadratic