Half an hour later, Bob Somers observed, "Looks great—doesn't it, boys?"
"Dave, you're a wonder," added Sam.
"Don't look like nothin' ter me," repeated Sanders. "What's the use of doin' it?"
"Thus is genius always unappreciated," smiled Dave. "Some day, Sanders, when you hear a big noise, rolling like distant thunder, you'll know it's my fame reaching Mountain Village."
A low growl came from Tige at this moment. A boy and a large dog were approaching. The dog soon led. It was larger than Tige, shaggy, and wore an expression which indicated that timidity was not a part of its nature.
Trouble was brewing, and it came sooner than expected.
The newcomer wasted no time in preliminaries. The moment he saw Tige he sprang for him.
All but Dave Brandon retreated—he didn't have time.
Smack! The animals backed up against the easel, sending it flying.
Bang! The canvas smote Dave Brandon on the nose, his stool tilted, and over he went backward, while his palette dropped squarely on Tige's back. The big umbrella, after gracefully sailing through the air, landed a few feet away.