A joke (my apologies)

Well, I said I would publish this joke, so here it goes. Stop me if you've heard this one--oh wait, you can't, I'm typing it.

The captain of a galleon finds his ship beset by two pirate ships. He can't outrun them, so he is forced to fight. "Fetch my red shirt," he tells his first mate as the enemy ships overtake his own vessel.

In the ensuing fight, the captain almost single-handedly repels the pirates. There is much rejoicing amongst members of his crew.

Several days later, the captain finds his ship beset my four pirate ships. "Fetch my red shirt," he shouts to his first mate; subsequently he vanquishes many of the pirates who seek to overtake his vessel.

After this, in awe his first mate asks him, "Captain, why do you always call for your red shirt when we are under attack?"

Calmly, the Captain replies, "If I am wounded, my men cannot see the blood as it flows from my body, and they will continue to fight bravely."

The first mate is stunned by the chivalry and boldness of this answer. "Bless you, my captain," he replies.

Several days later, their ship is beset by seven pirate ships. "Captain," says the first mate, "shall I fetch your red shirt?"


"Yes," the captain replies, "and my brown pants."