A ship sailed under command of a new captain and the crew did not know what to expect from their new commanding officer.

One morning, while sailing the seven seas, the ship's look-out spotted a pirate ship. The crew became frantic.

Captain No Beard stood up straight and proud over the quivering sailors and bellowed a command for the cabin boy to bring his red shirt immediately. The captain looked something fierce in the bright red shirt, and led his crew into victory over the pirates.

By lunch time the same day, the ship's look-out again spotted not one, but two pirate ships! The crew became frantic.

The captain kept his cool and howled for his red shirt once more. And once again the crew was able to vanquish the pirates.

That evening, after the captain ordered a double ration of grog for the crew, the men were recounting the day's awesome triumphs.

The cabin boy, raising the question burning in all the men's minds, asked the captain: "Sir, why did you call for your red shirt before each battle?"

The captain replied: "My dear lad, if I am wounded during the battle, my crew shouldn't be discourage by my wounds. In my red shirt, no one will notice my bleeding. So, every last man will retain the courage to fight, regardless."

All of the men sat in silence and marveled at the courage of their captain...

At dawn the next morning, the look-out this time spotted not one, not two, but TEN pirate ships approaching from the east! But the crew did not become frantic. They were all waiting for the captain to call for his red shirt once more.

Captain No Beard calmly ordered: "Bring me my brown pants!"