I put it back.
'A pretty weapon,' he agreed, 'but still I frightened thee.' I shrugged and sneered, disdaining further argument, and thought to pass him; but he turned his horse and rode beside me, asking who I was and where I came from, and what might be my earthly object in riding thus towards the desert all alone.

I answered all his questions very coldly, which did not disconcert him in the least.

Hearing that I had attendants, one of whom had skill in warfare, he said that he would wait with me till they came up.

I tried to frighten him with tales of all the men Rashid had slain in single combat: he was all the more determined to remain with me, saying that he would gain much honour from destroying such a man.
'But I do suspect that thou are lying, O most noble Faranji, and that this boasted champion is some wretched townsman whose only courage is behind a wall,' he chuckled.
At that I was indignant, and I lied the more.
Thus talking, we came near a piece of ruined wall, which cast sufficient shadow for a man to rest in.

The knight dismounted and tied up his horse.