“But what makes that terrible noise?”
“It’s the foghorn, or whistle,” replied Mr. Brown. “There is a thick blanket of fog all around the Beacon. The captain and the man on the lookout cannot see other ships coming near us, and the men on the other ships cannot see us. So, in order that we may not run into them, the foghorn is being blown. The other ships can hear it and steer to one side. Collisions at sea are very dangerous.”
“Oh, if it’s only a foghorn!” exclaimed Bunny. “I’m not afraid of that!”
“Well, I’m not afraid of a foghorn,” stated Sue. “But I thought it was a bull bellowing. I thought at first that we were on shore. Then when I felt the ship move I knew we were on water, and I thought the bull was down in the coal cellar, where I got lost. But I’m glad it isn’t a bull.”
“The foghorn has a very deep, low note to make the noise carry a long distance,” explained Mr. Brown. “It does sound a little like the bellowing of a bull. I don’t wonder you were frightened, Sue.”
“Bunny was scared, too,” declared the little girl.
“Not as much as you were,” stated Bunny, a bit crossly.
“If you are all dressed I’ll take you on deck and let you see the fog,” said Mr. Brown. “It’s like being in a white cloud.”
“Just like going up in an airship!” said Bunny, though as he had never gone up in one it is a question how he knew about it.
“Yes, I suppose it is like that,” agreed Mr. Brown.