Harper's Young People, April 6, 1880

On a crisp spring morning the boys Charley and Jim set out into a frozen swamp, following their eager dog Nap who darts among the trees in search of rabbits. The landscape is a patchwork of ice‑capped water and budding woodlands that promises a perfect rabbit day. Their conversation mixes youthful bravado with cautious respect for the rules of their families, especially the prohibition on loaded guns inside the house. As Nap signals the presence of a rabbit, the boys scramble to prepare their firearms, each eager to claim the first shot.

Jim, confident with his own gun, demonstrates the loading process while Charley, never having done it before, tries to imitate him, leading to a comic series of misfires and swapped barrels. The tension builds as the dog’s frantic yelps drive the rabbits into frantic bursts of speed, and the boys race to keep up, their nerves tested by the cold and the crack of caps. Through quick dialogue and vivid description, the story captures the excitement of a simple hunt and the learning curve of childhood bravery.