A ship was attacked by pirates. One by one the pirates climb a rope to get on the ship. The pirate captain was the $$8$$\textsuperscript{th}~pirate to climb in line, and there were as many pirates in front of him as behind him. How many pirates climbed the rope? (2015 Math Kangaroo Problem, Level 1 - 2, Question \#18)  $$\textasciitilde$$ 
选项为:A:$$7$$  B:$$8$$  C:$$12$$  D:$$15$$  E:$$16$$  请回答其中一个选项.