I came to West Point, notwithstanding I had heard so much about the Academy well fit to dishearten and keep one away. And then, too, at the time I had no object in seeking the appointment other than to gratify an ordinary ambition. Several friends were opposed to my accepting it, and even persuaded me, or rather attempted to persuade me, to give up the idea altogether. I was inexorable. I had set my mind upon West Point, and no amount of persuasion, and no number of harrowing narratives of bad treatment, could have induced me to relinquish the object I had in view. But I was right. The work I chose, and from which I could not flinch without dishonor, proved far more important than either my friends or myself at first thought it would be. Let me not, however, anticipate. Of this importance more anon. CHAPTER IV. CANT TERMS, ETC. AS a narrative of this description is very apt to be dry and uninteresting, I have thought it possible to remove in a measure this objection by using as often as convenient the cant lingo of the corps. A vocabulary which shall contain it all, or nearly all, becomes necessary. I have taken great care to make it as full as possible, and at the same time as intelligible as possible. There are a few cant words and expressions which are directly personal, and in many cases self-explanatory. They are for such reasons omitted. "Animal," "animile," "beast," "reptile."-- Synonymous terms applied to candidates for admission into the Academy. "Plebe."--A candidate after admission, a new cadet. After the candidates are examined and the proficient ones admitted, these latter are known officially as "new cadets," but in the cant vernacular of the corps they are dubbed "plebes," and they retain this designation till the candidates of the next year report. They are then called "yearlings," a title applied usually to them in camp only. After the encampment they become "furloughmen" until they return from furlough in August of the following year. They then are "second-classmen," and are so officially and à la cadet throughout the year. From this time till they graduate they are known as the "graduating class," so that, except the second class, each class has its own peculiar cant designation. Candidates generally report in May--about the 20th --and during July and August are in camp. This is their "plebe camp." The next is their, "yearling camp." During the next, they are en congé, and the next and last is their "first-class camp." Of "plebe camp," "yearling camp," and "first-class camp," more anon. "Rapid."--A "plebe" is said to be "rapid" when he shows a disposition to resist hazing, or to "bone familiarity" with older cadets--i.e., upper classmen. "Sep."--A cadet who reported for admission in September. "Fins."--A term applied to the hands generally, of course to the hands of "plebes." "Prelim."--A preliminary examination. "Pred."--A predecessor. "Pony."--A key, a corrigé.