And later on, first in studies also? No, by no means. Willet's Point never showed its head on the horizon; the leaders in the class were not men to be dislodged. And some studies came hard. Then (and now perhaps it is well I am far away from some of my friends) Cadet Kindred would have nothing to do with "ponies." Those seductive little frauds looked just as enticing, maybe, to him as to other men; but common sense and loyalty made him let them alone. "Common sense--for what am I here for," he answered Rig one day, "but to tread the paths of learning? And that does not mean going pony-back." "You can sort of line out the ground, you know," Rig said; "and then wear out your shoes all you want to at San Carlos." San Carlos! What visions came with the name. For a moment Rig's face showed through a golden haze. "But besides," Magnus went on, bringing his thoughts back, "it's not doing things 'heartily.' The Lord gave me this appointment to make just the most out of it I could. I cannot look up to Him from a 'pony,' and say I have learned my lesson." "But the Bible says, He always helps those that help themselves," remarked Rig. "No, it doesn't; not the first word. You have borrowed some man's 'pony' for that. It says 'Fear not, for I will help thee,'--" and Magnus plunged into his lesson again. The Divine strength that is trusted in, is a wonderful power; and Cadet Kindred pushed on and pushed up, every now and then took some other man's scalp, and never lost his own. And he found the Sunday rest a great thing. Broken in upon, indeed, by a guard-mounting and parade; by police calls, inspection, and now and then guard duty; but between whiles full of quiet time to think. It was such a pleasure to pile up the study books Saturday night, and leave the dark mass untouched till Monday morning. It took faith--a good deal--in some crises of work, but it paid well. The free time was so good. Not hours snatched unlawfully, but taken of right, according to that most wise and blessed law of the Lord: "In it thou shalt not do any work." In fine weather Magnus kept himself much out of doors, letting the dust of the week clear all away from eyes and heart and brain, till the balance of things, so often confused in the weekday rush, swung steady and true once more. "I don't see how you do it, Kin," said Randolph one day. "Do you run a light after taps?" "Never," said Magnus. "I study all I can Saturday, and as early as I can Monday morning." "Always ready for eight o'clock?" "I will not say the details are always just as clear as they were on Saturday, but then my head is so much clearer. I get along, somehow." "Well, I should say you did!" commented Rig. "Maxing it every blessed day last week." XLV NOTHING SERIOUS A warrior so bold and a virgin so bright Conversed as they sat on the green. Alonzo the brave was the name of this knight: The damsel, the fair Imogene. --LEWIS.