5. Mountie Martin

5 Mountie Martin The next morning Stanley and Nick said good-bye to their hosts and found the dogsled team in the village. There was only one seat, so Stanley gamely volunteered to ride flat, under everyone's feet. The ride was bumpy, but every time he was tempted to complain, Stanley recalled the magical sky he and Nick had seen.

At last they arrived at the city of Calgary. The dogsled driver dropped them off at the address Tulugaq had provided. Stanley and Nick knocked. When the door opened, Nick cried out, "This must be the wrong address! We're looking for Tulugaq's cousin." "Cousin Tulugaq sent you? Well, come on in, little pardners! This is the spot, all right!" "But how come you're not… How come you look like a cowboy?" Nick demanded—a little rudely, it must be said. "And native people can't be cowboys, is that it? Well, guess again, little pardner. This is Calgary, the Wild West of Canada. I'm Nauja and I'm Inuit… and I'm also a cowboy! Now come on in from the cold and meet my family!" "I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that a cousin of Tulugaq would be a cowboy," Stanley said thoughtfully after being introduced to Nauja's wife and children. "A girl I met at Mount Rushmore—Calamity Jasper—taught me that anyone can be a cowboy. She was part Lakota Sioux." A smile came to Stanley's face remembering her. "She taught me some other things, too," he

said. "Do you have a rope I could borrow?" Nauja brought a length of rope, and then Stanley entertained everyone with lariat tricks the cowgirl had shown him. Nick sat in a corner, scowling. "Nobody likes a show-off, you know!" he muttered. Just then a knock came at the door. There on the steps stood a man wearing a bright red coat, a big tan hat, and tall brown boots. He towered over everyone, so straight and powerful-looking, Stanley wondered for a minute if he was real. Nauja gave the man a big bear hug. "Mountie Martin! What are you doing here, so far from Quebec?" "Working. My partner and I chased a dangerous desperado out here. I figure… I'm so close to mon cher cousin I might as well stop by for a quick visit… non?" "You're Nauja's cousin, too? And Tulugaq's?" asked Nick. "Oui. The French-Canadian side of the family, by marriage. Mountie Martin, at your service," he saluted to the boys. "And who might you be?"

The boys introduced themselves and explained they were trying to get to Niagara Falls. Then Stanley asked what he was dying to know. "That dangerous desperado you were chasing… did you get him?" The Mountie beamed. "But of course I got him, mon ami!" he cried. "I am a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer. We always get our man! Now, how would you fellows like a ride to Quebec? My partner had to fly back with the desperado, and I could use the company. I could get you a lot closer to Niagara Falls." Nick and Stanley made their goodbyes and got into Mountie Martin's cruiser. The Mountie made adjustments to Stanley's seat belt until it held him snugly. "Safety first, eh? No matter the shape!"

Mountie Martin insisted they begin the trip with a big meal of Canadian specialties. "My treat," he said. "The United States of America is our neighbor. I am just being neighborly while you are visiting us!" The boys—having the healthy appetites that travel brings on—enjoyed everything. Stanley's favorite was poutine. "French fries with cheese and gravy… what could be better?" he asked. "Maple taffy," answered Nick. He poured more hot syrup over snow for a second helping of the sticky dessert. Back on the road, Mountie Martin was a good guide. He pointed out mountains, rivers, and cities as they covered the vast and beautiful lands of Canada. All the sights seemed to remind him of a story or an interesting bit of history. Whatever he said, Nick seemed to already know about it. On the second day, the conversation turned to sports. "Canada was a good choice for the 2010 Olympic Games," Mountie Martin said. "We are a nation of winter-sports lovers!" At that, Nick listed all his favorites: skiing, skating, luging, and snowboarding. Nick was an expert at everything. Stanley slid down in his seat

and stared out the window. At least, he thought, at least with every minute we are getting closer to Niagara Falls. And closer to home… "How about you, Stanley?" Mountie Martin interrupted his thoughts. "Who's your favorite team?" "Excuse me?" "We were talking about hockey. Here in Canada, it is our national sport—the greatest sport in the history of the world!" Stanley slid even farther down in his seat. "I've never seen a game," he mumbled, almost to himself. "I'm a huge fan!" Nick exclaimed. "I've been to lots of games!" Mountie Martin braked abruptly—but with caution and complete control. He pulled the cruiser over to the shoulder of the road and snapped the flashing lights on. "Safety first," he explained. "Now, would you please say that again, young man?" Nick beamed. "I said I've been to lots of hockey games—I'm the biggest fan!" "No, not you," the Mountie said. He nodded to Stanley. "You, mon ami. What did you just say?"