Little Demons
Bill and Ben, the tank engine twins, were busily working in the quarry pushing and pulling trucks into their proper places. They would take empty ones, whether they were from the yard or being returned to the quarry for another run, and take them to the shoots where they would be refilled with stone or clay. Then they would take the loaded ones to a siding where an engine would take them to the harbor. Sometimes they would take the loads themselves to the harbor whenever an engine was not available. However, Bill and Ben were cheeky little engines and always play tricks and cause mischief for other engines and the workmen. But sometimes their teasing ways could get them into trouble.
One day they were arranging some trucks in the quarry yard when they decided to play with the trucks instead. Bill charged at one at full speed, bumping it hard.
"Oh, Oh, Oh!" Screamed the truck.
Ben intercepted and caught it. Then Ben did the same to another truck.
"Oh, Oh, Oh!" That one cried. "That's no way to treat us!"
But the twins didn't care. They were having fun playing Catch the Trucks. Soon their game completed the line of trucks that was needed. Mavis was nearby when she saw the twins' antics.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Mavis said gravely to the twins. "Trucks don't like being bumped."
"Poh!" Scoffed Bill. "This is fun!"
"Stop being a fuss pot!" Ben added.
Mavis just rolled her eyes and went about her work. The yard manager came up to them.
"Bill and Ben! Please deliver these trucks full of china clay to Brendam Docks." He ordered.
"Yes, sir!" Said the twins excitedly.
But the trucks were cross.
"Those twin demons are nothing but a nuisance!"
"Let's pay them out!"
Soon Bill and Ben were coupled to each other in front of the train. The twins blew their whistles and they set off onto the mainline.
As they traveled along the line, everything seemed to be going well. But the twins were heading for trouble. When they reached the top of a hill where the journey sloped downwards instead of upwards, that was the chance for the trucks. They bumped the twins hard.
"On! On! On!" They cried.
Before anyone knew it, Billa and Ben were being pushed down the hill. They were shocked as their drivers applied their breaks. But because of the steepness of the hill and the weight of the heavy trucks, they still surged on and on.
"Help!" Cried the twins.
The trucks laughed and giggled as they forced the twins downward. The runaway train went at a tremendous speed as they passed engines and stations. The twins blew their whistles, fit to burst as they struggled to control the runaway train. Signalmen tried to switch the points fast enough to divert them, but it was no use. Bill and Ben were so frightened they didn't know what to do. But the worst was yet to come sooner than they realized.
In a desperate act, one signalman at the next junction quickly set the points to the wrong track. The track in question ran along the line towards a workman's hut where the workmen would eat and sleep for a day's work. The group were sitting at a table playing cards, when they heard the distress whistling of two engines. They ran outside to see the runaway twins and they evacuated just in time. The twins shut their eyes as they crashed through the walls. Trucks flipped and detailed, sending china clay everywhere. When the smoke cleared all that was left of the hut was half of it still standing, destroyed furniture, and a train in a mess. The twins looked awful as their frames were battered and bruised.
The workmen were very cross as they all voiced their anger and disapproval of such a mess. The twins looked and felt miserable that they couldn't reply. The tucks on the other hand were laughing loudly. They didn't care about the mess, they were just pleased with themselves.
"Serves you right." They said, cheekily.
Luckily Edward and Toby were nearby and saw the whole thing. They quickly fetched a breakdown train and hurried to clean the mess. Toby took the undamaged trucks away, while Edward helped the workmen haul the twins onto a flatbed as well as some damaged trucks. Then the Fat Controller arrived and was very cross at this situation.
"You two have been very naughty! Playing tricks on the trucks is what got you into this situation! Now because of your playing the workmen won't have a place to sleep! I hope this will teach you two to be careful with trucks!" He scolded them severely.
"Yes, sir…" Said the twins sadly.
He then turned to Toby and Edward with a grave face.
"These trucks are becoming more trouble than they're worth." He said to the two old engines. "I don't mean to burden you two. But could one of you discipline the trucks?"
"I can try sir." Toby said.
"I'll deal with the twins." Edward said too.
"Then I'll leave it to you both. I know I can count on you two to make things right." The Fat Controller said.
He then warrily went to his car and drove off, knowing the paperwork and calls he would need to make for these awkward arrangements. Meanwhile Toby took the trucks and started back to the quarry, while Edward took the twins to the other railway on the mainland so they could be mended at the steel works. Both old engines glared at both the twins and the trucks. And both guilty parties gulped in fear. They knew they were in for it now.
