Down the Mine
One day, Thomas was at the station with Scamp and his sisters, when Gordon shuffled in with some trucks.
Scamp: Morning, pop. Still pulling goods trains I see.
Gordon: Yes, I'm starting to wonder if I'll be ever to pull the express again.
Tramp: Oh, cheer up. You're definitely improving since your accident.
Suddenly Thomas began sniffing.
Scamp: What's the matter, Thomas?
Thomas: Oh nothing, I've been noticing a rather funny smell.
Scamp, Collette, and Danielle began sniffing about too.
Danielle: I haven't notice anything.
Collette: Neither have I, unless filthy Scamp forgot to take his bath again.
Scamp: Hey, our owners had to hold me down in order to clean me!
Thomas: Strange, I can still smell it, though.
Gordon: It might be yours. You're the only one that seems to notice it.
Thomas: Ah, now I remember what that smell is; its ditch water!
Before either the dogs or Gordon could answer, Thomas puffed away. Annie and Clarable could hardly believe their ears.
Annie and Clarable: He's dreadfully rude. I feel quite ashamed. I feel quite ashamed. He's dreadfully rude.
Collette and Danielle agreed with them.
Collette: Thomas, that was a bit too far.
Danielle: Yes, you didn't be that rude to Gordon.
But Thomas didn't care a bit.
Thomas: That was funny, that was funny!
Scamp: Look Thomas, I liked that joke the first time you said it, but I agree with my sisters, you're taking it a bit too far.
They stopped at their last station and Thomas was being uncoupled from his coaches.
Thomas's Diver: Well, luckily for you girls, you get to leave early today, if you want. We're going off to the mine again for some trucks.
Collette: Well, I guess we visit our sis and Angel for a bit.
Danielle: Just be careful. We know that Thomas will probably try "that" again, like he always does.
Scamp: Honestly, I don't see what you're worrying about. I don't think anything bad would happen, if we…
Collette: Scamp! Don't even think about it! We have rules for a reason, and if you're thinking of breaking it, it'll lead to trouble.
So Thomas and Scamp went off to the mine for some trucks.
Thomas (Whispering): This is it Scamp. Today's the day I'm gonna do it!
Scamp (Whispering): Are you sure about this? I mean these are my sisters we're talking about, and they seem concern for us.
Thomas (Whispering): They're just silly stick-in-the-muds. It'll be fine.
They finally reach the mine. A long time ago, miners, digging for lead, had made tunnels under the ground, and would lay tracks over the place where they've been digging. Although the roots were strong enough for trucks, they were not strong enough to hold an engines' weight. There was a large notice to warn engines about the area.
"Danger, engines must not pass this board"
Thomas and Scamp had often been warned about the board. Scamp was curious on would happened if they had passed the board, but Thomas really wanted to pass the board, but his Driver and Fireman would always stop him before he had his chance. But this time he had made a plan.
They made it to mine.
Thomas (Whispering): You ready Scamp?
Scamp (Whispering): Eh… I don't know, I mean, isn't this going a bit too far?
Thomas (Whispering): Come on, you said you wanted to know what was on the other side, we need to do this!
The fireman went to throw the switch.
Thomas (Whispering): NOW!
Scamp: I'm very sorry!
Scamp jumped up and bit off Thomas' Driver's butt, making him jerk forward, pulling the lever, Thomas bumping the trucks, and jerking the driver off the footplate.
Thomas: Hurrah! We've made it pass the broad.
Thomas's fireman saw what had happened and ran to the footplate trying to stop Thomas.
Thomas: It's quite safe!
Thomas's Fireman: Come back!
Suddenly there was a rumbling noise and the ground began to shake. The fireman jumped clear, but Scamp couldn't jump in the time, and the ground began to sink.
Thomas: Cinders and Ashes! I'm stuck!
Scamp: So am I!
And they were.
Scamp: Oh, why did I listen to you!?
Thomas's Driver: I hope you two are satisfied now. You've got your wish, and look where it lead you!
?: Yes, you two are very naughty. I saw the whole thing.
Scamp: Please get us out. We're very sorry!
Thomas: We promise we won't be naughty again.
Fat Controller: I'm afraid that's not possible. The ground is too low for you jump out of Scamp, and we can't lift Thomas out with a crane, the ground's not firm enough.
Meanwhile Gordon was just returning home after he brought a goods train to the station. Suddenly, they saw a workman close by.
Gordon's Driver: What's the matter?
The workman told him about Thomas. Gordon laughed and laughed.
Gordon: Down a mine is he!? O-Oh, boy this is rich!
Tramp: Alright Gordon, this is serious; they could be in real trouble.
So they found his strong cable, attached to this front end, and they set off to rescue Thomas and Scamp.
Tramp: Hang in there son, we'll get you out!
Scamp: Thomas, it's my father!
Thomas (Thinking): Oh dear, they're going to laugh at me after this.
Strong cables were fasten between the two engines.
Fat Controller: Are you ready? Heave!
Gordon pulled and puffed and pulled as hard as he ever could, but at last Thomas and Scamp were free.
Scamp ran to his father, feeling very angry at himself.
Tramp: Hey, hey. It's alright. The important thing here is that you're safe. Like I said I was no angel when I was your age. I'll make sure your mother goes easy on you.
Thomas: I'm sorry I was cheeky to you two.
Gordon: That's alright Thomas. You made both of us laugh, I like that. Come on, let's get you two home.
On the way home Scamp was chuckling to himself.
Tramp: What's so funny, son?
Scamp: I was just thinking. Gordon had fallen down into a ditch before, and now me and Thomas fell down a mine. I guess you can say this makes us even.
Gordon (Chuckling): I say it does.
Thomas: Yeah, and like you. I probably would get to be on my branch line for a few weeks or so.
Tramp: Oh, it would be too bad, Thomas. You'll be working with us for a while.
Gordon: I tell you what. How about we form an alliance?
Scamp: What's an ally... what was it?
Tramp: An alliance, son. It means that me and Gordon will help you, and you and Thomas can help us.
Thomas: That sounds like a good idea.
Scamp: Agreed.
Gordon: Good, then it's settled.
