"She is following the rule of the road. I suppose you know that there are 'International Steering and Sailing Rules' so that all nations may follow the same directions."
"I never heard of them before, for I do not claim to be much of a sailor, though I have given some attention to sailing a steamer since I have been on board of the Guardian-Mother," replied Louis. "I have learned to steer, and I know something about handling the engine. I never was placed in any responsible position on board a vessel, and that is the way to learn all about it."
"Now she shows her red light, and we are doing the same thing to her," said Morris. "Here is a bit more mnemonics:
'Green to green, or red to red—
Perfect safety, go ahead!'
That is, you cannot see the red or green alone unless you are abreast of the other vessel on one side or the other."
"I can remember the two couplets; but both of them assure you only when you are all right. One would like to know what to do when things are not all right," suggested Louis, who had already repeated to himself both of the safety couplets several times.
"Of course you know all the lights a vessel is obliged by law to carry at sea, Louis," continued Morris, as they passed the other steamer, distant about a quarter of a mile.
"I know that every steamer is obliged to carry a white light on the foremast, not less than twenty feet above the deck, a green light on the starboard side, and a red one on the port side."
"That is enough to know, though very minute directions are given in the international rules for placing these lights. I used to be bothered to remember which was which. But a naval officer told me that red was on the port side because that was the color of port wine; and any fellow must be green who could not tell the color on the other side."