I say, my cock, are you dead ?" and Jack enforced his question with a kick in the ribs.
The man groaned.

"That's unlucky, Gascoigne, but however, I'll soon settle him," said Jack, pointing his pistol.
"Stop, Jack," cried Gascoigne, "it really will be murder." "No such thing, Ned; I'll just blow his brains out, and then I'll come aft and argue the point with you." "Now do oblige me by coming aft and arguing the point first.

Do, Jack, I beg of you--I entreat you." "With all my heart," replied Jack, resuming his seat by Gascoigne; "I assert, that in this instance killing's no murder.

You will observe, Ned, that by the laws of society, any one who attempts the life of another has forfeited his own; at the same time, as it is necessary that the fact should be clearly proved, and justice be duly administered, the parties are tried, convicted, and then are sentenced to the punishment." "I grant all that." "In this instance the attempt has been clearly proved; we are the witnesses, and are the judges and jury, and society in general, for the best of all possible reasons, because there is nobody else.

These men's lives, being therefore forfeited to society, belong to us; and it does not follow because they were not all killed in the attempt, that therefore they are not now to be brought out for punishment.