# File lib/rbreadline.rb, line 5793
  def rl_rubout(count, key)
    if (count < 0)
      return (rl_delete(-count, key))
    end
    if (@rl_point==0)
      rl_ding()
      return -1
    end

    if (@rl_insert_mode == RL_IM_OVERWRITE)
      return (_rl_overwrite_rubout(count, key))
    end
    _rl_rubout_char(count, key)
  end