Time Force: Attack of the Robots

Chapter 10: Down the Mine

One day, Sherman was at the junction when Margo shuffled in with some battle supplies. "Pheeeeew!" remarked Sherman. "What a funny smell. Can you smell a smell?" "I can't smell a smell," said Penny. "A funny, musty sort of smell," said Sherman. "No one noticed it till you did," replied Margo. "It must be yours." Not long ago, she had fallen into a roadside ditch. Sherman enjoyed teasing her about it. "Penny? Antonio? Do you know what I think it is? It's ditch water!" Before Margo could answer, Sherman moved out of the area. Penny and Antonio could hardly believe their ears. "He's dreadfully rude, I feel quite ashamed." "I feel quite ashamed, he's dreadfully rude." And to Sherman, they said, "You mustn't be rude, you make us ashamed!" But Sherman didn't care a bit.

"That was funny, that was funny," he chuckled. He felt very pleased with himself. Penny and Antonio were completely shocked. They had great respect for Margo, the intelligent Time Force member. Sherman left them at the New York City School of Performing Arts and went off to a mine for some minecarts. Long ago, miners digging for lead had made tunnels under the ground. Their roofs are strong enough to hold up minecarts, but not the weight of humans. A large notice warns them not to enter the area: Danger, humans must not pass this board.

Stupid board, thought Sherman. He had often tried to pass it but had never succeeded, but this morning, he had made a plan. Elsa went to throw the switch. Now for my plan, Sherman thought. Bumping the minecarts furiously, he jerked Anna off the footplate and followed them into the mine. "Come back!" yelled Anna. But it was too late. Sherman had gone into the mine to find some minecarts and he was searching inside. Elsa and Anna were deeply shocked at the sight of Sherman disappearing into the mine, and they noticed that he was gone. Just then, Sherman fell into a hole and landed on his butt. "Cinders and ashes!" cried Sherman. "I'm stuck!" And he was. "Oh dear," he said, "I AM a silly human." "And a very naughty one, too, I saw you!" said Mr. Peabody. "Please, get me out. I won't do it again." "I'm not sure," said Mr. Peabody. "We can't life you out with a crane, the ground's not firm enough. Hmmm... let me see... I wonder if Margo could pull you out." "Yes, Mr. Peabody," said Sherman, but he didn't want to meet Margo just yet.

"Down the mine, is he? Hahaha!" laughed Margo. "What a joke!" And she rushed to the mine and found Sherman, stuck in the hole. "Sherman, we'll have you out right away!" Strong cables were fastened onto Sherman's hips. "Are you ready? Heave!" Mr. Peabody said. Then, Margo started pulling Sherman out of the hole as carefully as she could. It was a lot harder than they all thought, at last, Sherman was free.

"I'm sorry I was cheeky," said Sherman. "That's alright, Sherman, you made me laugh," replied Margo. "I'm in disgrace." "So am I," said Sherman. "Why, so you are, Sherman. Shall we form an alliance? You help me and I'll help you." "Right you are," agreed Sherman. "Good, that's settled," replied Margo. And hand-in-hand, the allies walked back home to the Time Force Headquarters as carefully as they could.