A/N This is the end of the Duck streak.

I puffed sadly to Edward's station. "It's not fair," I complained. "Diesel has been telling lies about me and made Sir Topham Hatt and all the engines think I'm horrid."

Edward smiled. "I know you aren't, and so does Sir Topham Hatt. You wait and see. Why don't you help me with these cars?"

I felt happier with Edward and set to work at once.

The cars were silly, heavy, and noisy. The two engines had to work hard, pushing and pulling all afternoon.

At last they reached the top of the hill. I wondered how long I'd be here.

"Good-bye," I whistled, and rolled gently over the crossing to the other line.

I loved coasting down the hill, running easily with the wind whistling past.

Suddenly- Tweeeet!

It was a conductor's warning whistle.

"Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!" laughed the cars. "We've broken away. We've broken away. Chase him, bump him, throw him off the rails," they yelled. Runaway Troublesome Trucks, I thought.

"Hurry, Duck, hurry," said Driver.

We raced through Edward's station, but the cars were catching up. "As fas as we can-then they'll catch us gradually." The driver was gaining control. "Another clear mile and we'll do it. Oh, glory! Look at that!"

James was just pulling out on their line from the station ahead. Any minute there could be a crash.

"It's up to you now, Duck," cried Driver.

I put every ounce of weight and steam against the cars.

"it's too late," I groaned, and shut my eyes. I veered into a siding where a barber had set up shop. He was shaving a customer.

CRASH! I hit the barber shop.

The silly cars had knocked their conductor off his van and left him far behind after he had whistled a warning. But the cars didn't care. They were feeling very pleased with themselves.

"Beg pardon, sir!" I gasped. "Excuse my intrusion."

"No, I won't!" said the barber. "You've frightened my customers. I'll teach you." And he lathered my face all over.

"Poor Duck!" someone said.

Thomas was helping to pull the cars away when Sir Topham Hatt arrived.

"I do not like engines popping through my walls," fumed the barber.

"I appreciate your feelings," said Sir Topham Hatt, "but you must know that this engine and his crew have prevented a serious accident. It was a very close-um-shave!"

"Oh!" said the barber. "Oh, excuse me." He filled a basin of water to wash my face. "I'm sorry. I didn't know you were being a brave engine."

"That's all right, sir. I didn't know that either."

"You were very brave indeed," said Sir Topham Hatt. "I'm proud of you."

Sir Topham Hatt watched the rescue operation. Then he had more news for me. "And when you are properly washed and mended, you are coming home."

"Home, sir? Do you mean the yard?"

"Of course."

"But, sir, they don't like me. They like Diesel."

"Not now. I never believed Diesel, so I sent him packing. The engines are sorry and want you back." I guess Sir Topham Hatt told them Diesel made up those names, so they learned the truth about him. After that, I went to the Works for mending. I was glad to be going back home after that.

A few days later when I came home, there was a really rousing welcome for me, Duck the Great Western Engine.

A/N I'm not British, Duck is, so I did as much British English as I could bear.