Gordon always pulled the big express. He was proud he was the only dog strong enough to pull it. It held important luggage and items, like the Fat Controller's. And Gordon was seeing how fast he could go.
In a moment, he would see his mate trapped in the tunnel.
"Oh dear," Henry moaned, Gordon slowed to listen to his mate's cries, "Why did I worry about rain fucking my pelt… will I ever be let out again?"
I'm going to brake that wall. Thought Gordon, snapping his jaws around his hardness and snapping off the latch that held him to it. He ran over to the brick wall, claws tearing uselessly at the single hole he was given. Henry stared at him from the other side, eyes wide. Gordon stopped as his pads winced in pain, and Henry's paws echoed in the empty tunnel.
"It's no use. It won't break. It's useless."
"Henry?"
"My pads are injured, can you pull my train?"
"I don't think I'm strong enough to."
"Then help me with it." Gordon smiled, and Henry returned it.
"Tell the conductor that you've hurt yourself and I've been told to help, then."
So, Gordon did, he walked off to the closest stationbox, and barked his message up to the man. The man gathered a team, and they destroyed the wall.
Henry slowly came out of his tunnel, his eyes and fur dull, covered in soot and cobwebs in his tail. His ribs stuck out beneath his pelt.
"Can he pull it?" The man asked.
"I can sure as hell try." Henry groaned.
Gordon and Henry were coupled to the sleds, Henry in front of Gordon so the stringer didn't pull his mate at a pace he couldn't take. Then, they set off to Wellsworth.
They never stopped 'til they reached the end of the line. The people said thank you as their bags and boxes were untied. And The Fat Controller promised Henry all the prey, water and sun he needed to be a Really Useful Tramp.
On the way home, Edward had helped Henry on his way back. The three dogs are now all very good friends. Henry is no longer scared of rain. He knows better than to hide in a tunnel, he can just ask Gordon to help him clean his pelt.
And Gordon, of course, is very glad to help him.
