PATOU [Seeing them all, in fact, crowding around CHANTECLER, and gazing anxiously at the sky, looks up too, and says simply.] It is the hawk!

CHANTECLER
Ah! [A dark shadow slowly sweeps over the motley crowd, who crouch and
cower.]

PATOU
When that great shadow falls, it is not the fine, strange Cocks we trust
to keep off the bird of prey!

CHANTECLER [Suddenly grown great of size, his wounds forgotten, stands in the midst of them, and in an authoritative tone.] Yes, close around me, all of you, all! [All, huddled in their feathers, their heads drawn in between their wings, press against him.]

THE PHEASANT-HEN
Dear, brave, and gentle heart!

CHANTECLER [The shadow sweeps over the crowd a second time.  The GAME COCK makes himself small. CHANTECLER alone remains standing, in the midst of a heap of ruffled, trembling feathers.]

A HEN
[Looking up at the HAWK.] Twice the black shadow has swept over us!

CHANTECLER [Calling to the CHICKS, who come madly running.] Chicks, come here to me!

THE PHEASANT-HEN
You take them under your wing?

CHANTECLER
I must.  Their mother is a box!

THE PHEASANT-HEN [Looking upward.] He hovers over us—­[The shadow of the HAWK, circling lower and lower, passes for the third time, darker than ever.]

ALL
[In a moan of fear.] Ah!

CHANTECLER
[Shouting toward the sky.] I am here!

PATOU
He has heard your trumpet cry!

THE PHEASANT-HEN
He flies further.

[All rise with a joyous cry of deliverance, “Ah!” and go back to their places to watch the end of the combat.]

PATOU
Without loss of a moment they form the ring again.

CHANTECLER [With a start.] What did you say? [He looks.  It is true, the ring has immediately formed.]

THE PHEASANT-HEN
Now they want you killed to be revenged for their fine scare.

CHANTECLER
But now I shall not be killed!  I felt my strength come back when the
common enemy flew across the sky. [Striding boldly up to the WHITE
PILE.] I got back my courage, fearing for the others.

THE WHITE PILE
[Amazed at being smartly attacked.] Whence has he drawn new strength?

CHANTECLER I am thrice stronger now than you.  Black excites me, you see, as red excites the bull, and thrice I have stared at night in the form of a bird’s shadow!

THE WHITE PILE
[Driven to bay, against the hedge, prepares to use his razors.]

THE PHEASANT-HEN
[Screaming.] Look out!  He has two sharp razors at his heels, the beast!

CHANTECLER
I knew it!

THE CAT
[From his tree, to the GAME COCK.] Use your knives!