Certainly it had but for Colin.
The bag had been taken from his head, and the fellow of Machudi's had dropped the rope round his collar.

In a red fury of wrath the dog leaped at my enemies.

Though every man of them was fully armed, they fell back, for I have noticed always that Kaffirs are mortally afraid of a white man's dog.

Colin had the sense to keep beside me.

Growling like a thunderstorm he held the ring around my litter.
The breathing space would not have lasted long, but it gave me time to get to my feet.