The Virginia Gazette

Bristol, January 9. We hear from Devizes in Wiltshire, that Last Week a Farmer, at a lonesome House near that Place, hearing his Horses make a Noise in the Stable as if they were disturbed, arose, and with another of his Family went to the Stable, where they were immediately seized by three Ruffians and murdered.

His Wife likewise got up, and was going to the Stable, but perceiving by what she overheard, that some Mischief was done, she retired and hid herself, and while she lay concealed, she saw the Ruffians go into the House, and then she hastened to the neighbouring Village, and raised Assistance; who when they came, found the House plundered, and the Villains gone; but had luckily shut a Dog they had with them into one of the Rooms.

The Neighbours caught the Dog, and tying a Cord to his Leg, followed him whither he went. The Dog led them about three Miles off, to a Public House, where he was eager to go in. Then they took off the Cord, and the Dog ran in at the Gate. While the rest waited at a Distance, one of the Men went in, and found the Woman of the House up. He called for a Pint of Beer, and while he was drinking it, he commended the Dog, and pretended he would buy it. The Woman said her Husband would not part with it for any Money, for he was very fond of it.

When he found the Dog had brought them to his Master's House, he called in his Neighbours, who searched the House, and found the Villains all asleep on one Bed. They secured them all, and carried them the next Morning before a Justice of the Peace, who we hear has committed them all to Prison.