The story is told of Admiral Lord Nelson, upon hearing a cry from the crow’s nest that an enemy flag had been spotted on the horizon, turning to his cabin boy and saying, “Son, fetch me my crimson shirt.”
The ship’s captain heard the request and asked, “Admiral, why did you request your crimson shirt?”
Admiral Lord Nelson replied, “That’s in case I get hit during the battle, my shirt won’t show the blood and demoralize the men.”
The cabin boy returned with the crimson shirt. As Admiral Lord Nelson was changing he again heard a cry from the crow’s nest. “Three enemy flags on the horizon.”
Without missing a beat Admiral Lord Nelson turned to his cabin boy and said, “Son, fetch my brown trousers.”
G’orning and *snicker*.