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 the government there has agreed to arbitrate the Cheek Teakwood claim, in the endeavor to settle which our Vice-Consul, Mr. Kellett, was wounded, as we told you in Numbers 16 and 17 of THE GREAT ROUND WORLD. The Siamese government has also agreed to look into the matter of the assault on Mr. Kellett, and punish the guilty persons. As you will see in Number 17, Mr. Olney hinted that Consul-General Barrett had been over-hasty, and that the Siamese were not to blame. He made similar remarks about General Lee in Cuba. He does not seem to want our Consuls to protect our citizens in foreign countries, and it is perhaps a good thing for the nation that he has no longer the power to hinder them in the performance of their duties. Consul-General Barrett's claim proves to have been just and right, by the action of the Siamese government. * * * * *