Chapter 58: Percy Takes the Plunge
One day, Henry wanted to rest at Brendam docks, but found that the shed was occupied. Percy was telling Bill and Ben about the time that he had braved a storm to keep his promise to Thomas.
"The water poured into the cab, making my feet very wet," he told them, "But I forged on."
"Oh, Percy, you were brave," said Bill.
"Oh, it was nothing, really," said Percy, "After all, water is nothing to anyone with determination."
"Bill and Ben, what are you doing here?" Henry interrupted, "This shed is for Sir Topham Hatt's employees and their engines, not silly little private line workers like you two. Get back to the clay pits."
Bill and Ben did so, but shot Henry a rather ugly look. Percy was most upset.
"There's no need to be rude, Henry," he said, "After all, I invited them in here."
"You're even worse," Henry snorted, "'Water is nothing to anyone with determination.' Pah!"
It was soon time for Percy to go back to work. As he left he started to sing a little song.
"Once a man in charge of a train,
Was afraid of a few drops of rain."
Henry didn't think it was funny.
"No one will let me forget the time I drove my engine into a tunnel to keep it dry, will they?"
Later Percy was shunting trucks along the dockside when he saw Thomas nearby. He was looking at a board nearby.
"Danger," he read, "Engines must not pass this board. Danger means falling down something. I passed danger once and fell down a mine."
Percy looked out and squinted his eyes.
"I don't see a mine," Percy said. He did not realize that the foundations had sunk and the tracks now led directly into the sea. Despite not seeing any danger, Percy realized that it would be in his best interests to obey the sign.
"Whatever it is, it must be serious," he thought to himself, "I must not pass it."
But that was easier said than done. The next day Percy was shunting some trucks to the dock to load a waiting barge, but the tracks were slippery. Percy tried to apply the brakes, but it was too late. They slipped right past the board, and slid into the sea. Percy was not a very strong swimmer, and soon began to panic.
"Help, help!" he cried. Fortunately, a nearby workman heard him and helped him to safety, but the engine and its train could not be rescued until high tide
Sir Topham Hatt soon came to see what the commotion was.
"I am sorry, sir," Percy said sadly.
"It wasn't your fault, Percy," Sir Topham Hatt sighed, "But now we are down an engine. I'll see to it that those tracks are sanded immediately. We don't want any more accidents today."
It was night by the time they could retrieve Percy's engine. It was in no position to move under its own power, so Thomas shunted it onto the morning goods, where it would be dropped off at the works.
The next morning, Henry arrived to collect the train when he saw Percy off to the side, looking rather sad.
"Cheer up, Percy," he said kindly, "It wasn't your fault, and Victor will have your engine looking good as new in no time."
"Thanks Henry," Percy said, "But I don't think I want to be working at the harbor anytime soon."
"You never know," said Henry, "Oh well, I suppose we'll see the next time."
Percy sincerely hoped that there would never be a next time.