pistol

"In a month you will find on the table, at which we shall be then sitting, good pistols and a delicious draught; but, on the other hand, you must promise me not to attempt your life before that time."

"Well," said Morrel, changing his expression of calmness for one of violence -- "well, and if I do intend to turn this pistol against myself, who shall prevent me -- who will dare prevent me?

If any one had said to your father, at the moment he raised the pistol to his head -- if any one had told me, when in my prison I pushed back the food I had not tasted for three days -- if anyone had said to either of us then, `Live -- the day will come when you will be happy, and will bless life!' -- no matter whose voice had spoken, we should have heard him with the smile of doubt, or the anguish of incredulity, -- and yet how many times has your father blessed life while embracing you -- how often have I myself" --

Luckily, however, for the poor wretch, he had fallen into more merciful hands; for Jones having examined the pistol, and found it to be really unloaded, began to believe all the man had told him, before Partridge came up: namely, that he was a novice in the trade, and that he had been driven to it by the distress he mentioned, the greatest indeed imaginable, that of five hungry children, and a wife lying in of the sixth, in the utmost want and misery.

He returned the fellow his empty pistol, advised him to think of honester means of relieving his distress, and gave him a couple of guineas for the immediate support of his wife and his family; adding, "he wished he had more for his sake, for the hundred pound that had been mentioned was not his own."

These hints stopt the mouth of Partridge; nor did he open it again till Jones, having thrown some sarcastical jokes on his cowardice, he offered to excuse himself on the inequality of fire-arms, saying, "A thousand naked men are nothing to one pistol; for though it is true it will kill but one at a single discharge, yet who can tell but that one may be himself?"

He pointed with the pistol to a bell-handle behind me.

"If you utter one word in contradiction of anything I say when my workmen come into the room," said the doctor, uncocking his pistol as soon as I had rung the bell, "I shall change my mind about leaving your life and taking your character.