Chapter 284: Down the Drain
Unlike materials such as rock and slate, China Clay is not quarried out of the ground. Instead, they use strong hoses to wash it out of the ground. Once the mixture of clay and water has dried, Bill and Ben take it to the port to be shipped off to the rest of Sodor and beyond.
Part of the line owned by the China Clay Company runs by the seaside. Sometimes, the hollow in the land floods when there's heavy rain, making for a difficult time getting to and from the Clay Pits. The workmen called this hollow "the drain."
Lately, the autumn gales had been causing rougher seas and higher tides. Bill and Ben had to be very cautious as they traveled through the hollow. Luckily, the water remained just on the edge of the track.
One day, Ben was taking a long train of China Clay Hoods to the harbor. It was pouring down rain, and he could barely see. As he approached the hollow, he could see that the water had risen to track level.
"Bother!" He moaned, but he knew he had to forge on. So, slowly but surely, he edged his engine into the water. No sooner had he done so did the tide began to pick up, and a huge wave crashed into the side of his engine, sloshing his feet.
"Oooooooooh!" He shivered, but worse was to come. The wave got into the firebox, and with a sizzle put it out. Ben tried to struggle through to the other side, but it was no good. He was stranded, and the tide was getting higher.
"Help!"
Thomas, who had just gone off to look for his trucks, heard Ben's cry and came rushing. When he got there, he found poor Ben struggling to keep from being swept out into the rising water.
"Don't worry Ben, I'll get you out!"
"Please hurry! I'm getting really cold, and this water isn't getting any lower!"
Thomas took a long piece of rope and, carefully wading into the water, attached it to one of Ben's engine's buffers. Tying the other end to one of his engine's buffers, he began to reverse. It wasn't easy, but Bill soon arrived to take his twin's trucks, making the load easier. Slowly but surely, Thomas pulled Ben and his engine to safety.
"Phew! Ben, are you alright?"
"I am now, thanks to you."
When the storm had subsided, Sir Topham Hatt came to see them.
"Well done, Thomas! If it weren't for your quick thinking, things might have been much worse. I'm pleased to report that the work on your branchline is now complete, and you can return there tomorrow."
"Oh, thank you sir!"
When Sir Topham Hatt had left, Bill and Ben spoke to Thomas.
"Thank you for saving me, Thomas. We're sorry we were cheeky."
"Yeah, you were incredible! I wish I could be as brave as you were."
Thomas chuckled.
"Oh, it was nothing! Besides, if you think that was being cheeky, then wait until you hear how bad I was."
And so, Thomas spent the rest of the night regailing them with his adventures, the twins hanging onto every word. By morning came, they were sad to see him go.
"Please come back again!" They called.
"I will," Thomas promised. "And you're more than welcome on my line!"
And with that, he was gone.