The $$8$$\textsuperscript{th} means there are $$7$$ people in front of him. So there are also $$7$$ people behind him. The total number of pirates can be calculated: $$7+7+1=15$$. 
A ship is being attacked by pirates. One by one the pirates climb a rope to get on the ship. The pirate captain is the $$8$$\textsuperscript{th} in line, and there are as many pirates in front of him as there are behind him. How many pirates are in line to climb the rope?（）($$2015$$ Math Kangaroo Problem, Levels $$1-2$$, Question \#$$18$$) 
  - $$7$$ 
  - $$8$$ 
  - $$15$$ 
  - $$16$$ 