If Jeffreys did not throttle his man, his man, as he perfectly well knew, would do more than throttle him.

So he held on like grim death, till Corporal, half smothered by the sack and half-choked by his assailant's clutch, howled for quarter.
Then for the first time Jeffreys felt decidedly perplexed.

If he let Corporal go, Corporal, not being a man of honour, might turn on him and make mincemeat of him.

If, on the other hand, he called the dog off the other man to hold Corporal while he bound him captive, the other man might abuse his opportunity in a like manner.

The boy was evidently too exhausted to take any part in the encounter?
What could he do?
After turning the matter over, he decided that Julius was the most competent individual to settle the business.