"It's the rudder," said Brian. "It doesn't work right. Give me a bit of string, and I'll see if I can't fix it properly this time."
After some little delay, the Fury was ready for another voyage. In moving round the pond Elsie had found a broken lead soldier lying on the brick-work, a relic of some bygone naval engagement.
"Here!" she said; "let me put this man on board."
Brian seldom refused any of Elsie's requests.
"All right," he said; "put him on the bridge."
The lead soldier was propped up against the little wire railing. "There!" cried Elsie; "that's William Cole going out to Australia."
Once more the little vessel was placed in the water, and her propeller allowed to revolve. Away she went in grand style, straight across the pond, and leaving quite a miniature wake in her stern.
"Oh, bother!" muttered Brian, as again the straight course became a curve. "There she goes! That rudder will work round."
"Hullo!" exclaimed Guy. "Look out! She'll be wrecked in a minute!"
The "destroyer" was now heading for one of the submerged pots; a moment later she struck, and remained with her screw still working, but with her bow entangled in a bunch of weed.