A 17th Century captain was sailing along with his crew when a pirate ship came over the horizon.
The captain says, "Cabin boy, get me my red shirt."
So, he gets his red shirt and they victoriously battle the pirates. Several days later, they spot another pirate ship off the port bow.
"Cabin boy," says the captain "get me my red shirt."
They again battle the pirates and are victorious.
Later when things had settled down, the cabin boy asks, "Captain, why do you always want your red shirt before battle?"
The captain responds, "Well, in case I am wounded, I don't want the crew to see my injury and lose spirit."
"I see," says the cabin boy.
A few days later, they spot 20 pirate ships in the distance.
The captain yells out, "Cabin boy, get me my brown pants."