A young man joins a pirate crew. On his first day at sea, the lookout spots a merchant ship.
The captain roars, “Boy! Get me my red shirt!”
The young man, confused, asks, “Why your red shirt, captain?”
“So that if I am wounded in the battle, the blood won’t show, and the men won’t lose their courage!” the captain explains. The young man is very impressed by his captain’s wisdom.
A few hours later, the lookout spots two more ships, much larger than the first, flying the flag of the Royal Navy.
The captain looks through his spyglass and his face turns pale.
He turns to the young man and says in a shaky voice, “Boy… get me my brown pants.”