Premise: In his other he held a flintlock pistol, the barrel still smoking.

Hypothesis: The barrel of the pistol was smoking.
Answer: yes

Premise: And it will be risky, but we may even be able to shape a bit of the sun stuff to represent the great orb in the sky." "What about the planets?" Hanson was beginning to feel the depression lift.

Hypothesis: There is no risk involved.
Answer: no

Premise: We do seem to end up with a lot of lawyers.

Hypothesis: It seems that we end up with numerous lawyers.
Answer: yes

Premise: Wesley Clark's 1975 thesis, which doubted the coercive effects ...

Hypothesis: The thesis spoke against the effects.
Answer: yes