Because of its liberal tax structure, a tiny European principality had
a huge merchant marine fleet. Its ruler was somewhat eccentric,
though, and required that the captain of each ship registered in his
country emulate the behavior of a famous captain from history or
literature. One captain, however, didn't seem to fit in, so the prince
sent an investigator on the next voyage, threatining to pull the
captain's comission if the prince was dissatisfied. When the
investigator returned, he reported to the prince, "Your highness, you
have no complaint against this captain. Each time the ship makes port,
he sounds the klaxon once for each woman available per crewman." "I
don't see how that makes him fit to command under my rules," the
prince said. "Just who is he supposed to be?" "The Whore-ratio
Horn-blower, your highness."