The nefarious ne'er-do-well stepped out, and held out his knife. "Stop!"

Noah had hesitated. The man was tall and looked strong. But he also looked very wealthy. And when he had come close, greedy impulse had triumphed over caution.

But as he stood there, caution inconveniently returned. The man was really quite tall, and Noah's knife was blunt, for it was a simple piece of cutlery from home. "Give me your money or I'll stab you," he said with a light tremor in his voice.

'Poke you', would be more accurate.