The claws of one of the leopard's paws raked Timokles' arm, and then the beast dropped to the floor.
The leopard's angry cries stunned Timokles' ears.

He clutched the palm branch tightly.

From the swaying motion and the sound of a slight, though ominous, cracking, Timokles doubted if his support were reliable.
The rage of the leopard was frightful.

He seemed beside himself.

He leaped and rushed hither and thither, as he saw Timokles climbing higher.
The boy shook with exhaustion.