“The Captive” from Traffic and Discoveries by Rudyard Kipling

The Captive is a story of a man Laughton Zigler whom the narrator met during his visit to the camp of prisoners caught in the Boer War. Mr. Zigler shares his experiences with the army officers of other nations. He also tells the narrator about his invention of a new gun for which he finds no buyer.  Mr. Zigler is a professional inventor of arms. He has a strong confidence on his inventions and skills. Fortunately, he finds Mr. Van Zyl, a Boer commander, who expresses his interest in Zigler’s invention of new light gun and explosives.

The story then shifts to the fighting between the British forces and South Africans over the rising influence of Britain in South Africa. Mr. Zigler underestimates the potentialities of the Royal British Artilleries and thinks that his invention of new light gun machine can be detrimental to the British forces. However, there are no casualties to the British forces as such from Zigler’s gun.

The British forces imprison Mr. Zigler and Mr. Van Zyl. British commanders question Mr. Zigler of his new invention of light gun and how does it help soldiers in the war. Captain Mankeltow questions Zigler about some specific parts of his gun to find out why it weighs so light. Captain  Mankeltow and the General of the British army disclose that they would like to have this war continued for next six months to train their soldiers and boys. In wake of less area to set up training camps, these small battles on the soil of natives serve the training exercise for soldiers.

“The Captive” is related to Britain’s tough opposition to the South African natives participating in the Boer war. It gives an insight into the unmatched strength of the Royal British Army gaining popularity for recruiting young soldiers and technology upgradation that modernizes arms and ammunitions proved impossibly advanced for opposition soldiers. These small wars turns out to be a training camp for soldiers.