The stranger started horribly at the voice of the Mouse

[albert210]

Hello

In the following context, Why the stranger started horribly at the voice of the Mouse? Was it because he had not noticed the voice of the Mouse before or was it because of what the Mouse said?

The moment his feet reached the deck he said:​

“Fly! Fly! About with your ship and fly! Row, row, row for your lives away from this accursed shore.”​

“Compose yourself,” said Reepicheep, “and tell us what the danger is. We are not used to flying.”​

The stranger started horribly at the voice of the Mouse, which he had not noticed before.​

“Nevertheless you will fly from here,” he gasped. “This is the island where dreams come true.”​

Source: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by C. S. Lewis

 

[Tarheel]

He hadn't noticed the Mouse before. He was startled.

 

[Skrej]

Probably because it was a talking mouse!

 

[Tdol]

Reepicheep is a very brave mouse who fears nothing- people may not be expecting that in a mouse, much less one that talks.

 

[Tarheel]

I know I would be surprised at that.

 

[Tdol]

I know I would be surprised at that.

If you haven't read it, it has one of the great opening lines:

"There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it."