Layout hilly terrain. designate 1 long edge as South. Place 1 village near each southern corner. Take a deck of cards and place half in each village. Each ace represents an objective, a leader, an arms cache, etc. The native player removes 2 cards from each village each turn. If the Imperial player captures a village he gets any remaining cards. The winner is the one with the most aces at the end of the game.

Choose force levels for this game with each side having a roughly equal number of units for this scenario (say 4-6 units each). At least 1 Mahdist unit must start the game in each village. the remainder may be deployed as desired on the southern half of the board. The Imperial player sets up within 6" of the middle 1/3 of the northern edge.

(Note the Mahdist goal is to delay not defeat or destroy the Imperial column, the Imperial has 2 main choices send 2 weak forces to grab both targets as quick as possible or concentrate on 1 hoping to have time to get the 2nd later.)

Map 1: The Search

To the Rescue: A small Imperial force is holding a hill or fortified village against overpowering numbers of Mahdists while reinforcements including cavalry, camel corps, etc and/or a gunboat rush to the rescue. Try 1 or 2 Imperial units under attack from 6-8 Mahdist units with 2-3 units in the relief column. The Mahdists must virtually destroy the holding force to win.

Map 2: To the Rescue

The Oasis: Place an oasis at 1 end of the table. The Imperials enter at the opposite end and must reach the oasis or at least have a clear line of march to it (ie all mahdist units routed). Place the Imperials within 12" of the centre of their sideof the table. The Mahdists may be placed anwhere beyond 24" of the Imperials. The Mahdists should outnumber the Imperials by at least 3 to 1.

Map 3: The Oasis

Convoy: Place a fort at one end of the board. A relief column with pack animals, some cavalry or mounted infantry and some infantry enters at the other end and attempts to reach the fort. The fort should contain artillery, infantry and some cavalry which can sortie. There should be a difficult hill in the middle of the board to block the line of sight from the fort. Once the convoy is spotted up to 1/2 the defenders may sortie. If firing is heard, a cavalry unit may be sent to investigate. The Mahdists are scattered in pursuit and roll to determine when and where they enter the board. Overall they should outnumber the Imperials by 2:1.

Map 4: Convoy

Rules: With MacDuff to the Frontier