Duke and the Scouts

**Duke and the Scouts** is the sixth episode of the twelth season of NWR Tales.

## Plot

One morning, Sir Robert Norramby tasks Duke to take a group of scouts to a camp site along the Skarloey Railway, which he will pick up from Gordon's train at Crovan's Gate. Duke remembers how he used to deliver scouts back on the Mid-Sodor Railway, and Norramby comments that he would be a good scout leader.

At Crovan's Gate, Duke waits for Gordon, who is running late. Once he arrives, he explains how the scouts have been behaving badly, something Duke dismisses. Gordon advises him not to think to favourably of them for long before angrily departing.

As he travels down the line, Duke seems to be right about the scouts for the time being. However, they soon begin their mischief, much to his and the coaches' annoyance. A girl puts herself out of a window, forcing the driver to brake the train by a long tree branch. He scolds her for her behaviour, but to no avail.

The scouts' mischief continues when they stop at Lakeside, much to other passengers' disappointment. Duke himself comes to the realisation that Gordon was right about their behaviour. They eventually depart Lakeside for the last leg towards the camp site.

At the camp site, the scouts' bad behaviour persits, and it becomes obvious to Duke that the scout master has poor leadership skills. He offers to help, but the scout master rejects his offer. Duke departs for Crovan's Gate, disappointed.

Back at Crovan's Gate, Gordon teases him before Duke confesses that he was right about the scouts. He further explains that he tried to offer the scout master help, but was rejected. Gordon expresses his agreement about the scout master's leadership skills before departing.

As days go on, the scouts' erratic behaviour persits, much to the frustration of both Duke and the other engines.

Duke delivers supplies to the camp site, and finds a defeated scout master, who admits that he has struggled to keep the scouts in line. Duke offers his help again, which the scout master accepts. Duke sums up some important steps to keep the scouts in line, which the scout master thanks him for.

Duke's advise pays off for the scout master, as the scouts become more and more obedient, and their erratic behaviour ceases. The scout master approaches Duke later and explains that he wants to put his scouts "to the test".

When the day of their return home arrives, the scout master assembles the scouts as they wait for Duke's arrival. He soon approaches fast, but speeds past them, much to their surprise. The scout master concludes that they should trek all the way to Skarloey station for the next train. During the entire trek there, he keeps the scouts in line and manages to keep them grouped.

They reach the station, where Duke is waiting, and the scout master praises him for his help and that the plan succeeded. A scout girl asks what plan it was, to which the scout master explains that Duke speeding past them was part of the plan in order to test their skills.

Duke brings them all back to Crovan's Gate, where Gordon is waiting. He is surprised by how the scouts now have ceased their erratic behaviour. Duke comments that good leadership is all that's needed.

## Characters

* Gordon
* Duke
* Sir Robert Norramby
* The Scout Master
* Stanley (*does not speak*)
* Peter Sam (*cameo*)
* Duncan (*cameo*)
* Sir Handel (*cameo*)
* Skarloey (*cameo*)
* Luke (*cameo*)
* Bertie (*cameo*)
* Bulgy (*cameo*)
* Mr. Percival (*mentioned*)