The boy raised himself to one knee and brandished his knife--chinese bronze

And groping his way with his stick, he moved towards Tyltyl, growling as he went.
Our poor little friend had been very much afraid during the last few minutes. The Cat had left him suddenly, saying that she wanted to smooth down the excitement, and had not come back. Mytyl nestled trembling against him; and he felt very lonely, very unhappy among those dreadful people whose anger he was beginning to notice. When he saw the Oak marching on him with a threatening air, he drew his pocket-knife and defied him like a man:
"Is it me he's after, that old one, with his big stick?'' he cried.
But, at the sight of the knife, Man's irresistible weapon, all the Trees shook with fright and rushed at the Oak to hold him back. There was a struggle; and the old King, conquered by the weight of years, threw away his stick:
A regular waterfall of tears came gushing from her eyes, flooding all around her
"Shame on us!" he shouted. "Shame on us! Let the Animals deliver us!...."
The Animals were only waiting for this! All wanted to be revenged together. Fortunately, their very eagerness caused a scrimmage which delayed the murder of the dear little ones.
Mytyl uttered piercing screams.
"Don't be afraid," said Tyltyl, doing his best to protect her. "I have my knife."
"The little chap means to die game!" said the Cock.
"That's the one I shall eat first," said the Pig, eyeing Mytyl greedily.
"What have I done to all of you?" asked Tyltyl.
"Nothing at all, my little man," said the Sheep. "Eaten my little brother, my two sisters, my three uncles, my aunt, my grandpapa and my grandmamma.… Wait, wait, when you're down, you shall see that I have teeth also..."
And so the Sheep, the Ass and the Horse, who were the greatest cowards, waited for the little fellow to be knocked down before they dared take their share in the spoil.
While they were talking, the Wolf and the Bear treacherously attacked Tyltyl from behind and pushed him over. It was an awful moment. All the Animals, seeing him on the ground, tried to get at him. The boy raised himself to one knee and brandished his knife. Mytyl uttered yells of distress; and, to crown all, it suddenly became dark. Tyltyl called wildly for assistance:
"Help! Help!... Tyl?! Tyl?!... To the rescue!... Where is Tylette?.... Come! Come!..."
The Cat's voice was heard in the distance, where she was craftily keeping out of sight:
"I can't come!" she whined. "I'm wounded!"