The Virginia Gazette

Edinburgh, April 13. Some Nights since certain Wags of this Place thought fit to take down the remains
Of Ralph Burnet, from the Gibbet where he hung in Chains, and placed him upright against the Post in Leith. A Ship-malter going down to that Port about 11 at Night, with some Money about him, was not a little terrified with the Sight, as by the Moon light and Strength of Imagination he mistook it for a Highway-man with sinister Designs upon his Person and Purse; however, plucking up all the Courage he was master of, and to prevent his Enemy, he made up to him boldly, and without saying one Word, knocked him down with his Cane; the dry Bones fell immediately to the Ground; the Captain took to his Heels, nor did he look behind him till he got safe home at Leith, where he arrived in a cold Sweat, and fainted twice before he could tell them of his having murdered a Man in so inhuman a Manner. His Wife almost in as great Terror as himself, lock'd him in a chest amongst foul Linen, and bespoke a Boat against next Morning to facilitate his Escape; but she prudently sending her Maid first to reconnoitre, and to enquire further into the Circumstances of the Affair, soon discovered the Truth of the Affair, and, as they say, with the Assistance of the Pilot, took care to make her Husband do proper Penance for this comical Manslaughter, before she would relieve him from Limbo.