da_ in sight; that saucy vessel had
made the most of her opportunities, and was a hundred and fifty miles down
the coast. The marshals got nothing for their trouble but a chilly trip
and a bad attack of sea-sickness.

It seems that the secret of the expedition was ferreted out by some
Pinkerton detectives, who are in the employ of the Spanish.

These worthies heard about the expedition, and hired a boat and went out
after the _Laurada_. They came up with her as she was taking on her cargo,
but she was far enough away from the coast to be what is termed "on the
high seas," too far out for interference from anything but a man-of-war or
a revenue cutter.

The story goes, that the tug which carried the Pinkerton men circled round
the _Laurada_ several times, and saw the men being transferred from the
barge to the steamer. These men, in their pleasure at having outwitted the
Spanish detectives, beguiled the moments of waiting by making ugly faces
at the Pinkerton men, and calling them various foreign names, until the
detectives finally steamed off to give information, and get revenge.

There are rumors that two other expeditions have sailed for Cuba, or are
about sailing. The _South Portland_ is supposed to be already on her way,
and the _Bermuda_ to be waiting off Long Island for a large party.

It is supposed that the filibusters hope the change in the Administration
may have made things a little easier for them. They appear to have waited
for President McKinley's election to try once more to help their friends.

It remains to be seen what action our new President will take in the
matter.

* * * * *

The case of the _Three Friends_ has been up in courts again.

You remember how she was seized, and the case against her was dismissed
because Judge Locke decided that, as President Cleveland had declared
there was no state of war in Cuba, the vessel could not be breaking any
laws in carrying merchandise to Cuba.

This decision was appealed against, and was taken into the higher courts
for further consideration.

The higher court has decided that as it was known that troubles of a
warlike nature were going on, the _Three Friends_ was guilty of breaking
the laws, and should never have been set free. Chief Justice Fuller
therefore decided that a new trial must be held, and the steamer once more
taken into custody.

* * * * *

News comes from Siam that th