Up the Sudan with Sir Portly

A game revisiting the Sudan and Men who would be Kings.   Major Pea, and Major Stroker providing an escort for the supply column through to a paddle steamer waiting on the Nile.  Commanding the column, Colonel Sir Portly B'Stard, a man who was clearly in a hurry to reach the Nile.

The Rajputs.  A stirring sight!  I give Lt Herbert Farthingdale the Cavalry, even though he is an up an at 'em.  A mistake I think!

On my right the Durhams, and Mounted Infantry.

And so Babbage begins, as the Dervish appear.

Initially Farthingdale and the 10th Hussars do a reasonable job.  But he's an unstable fellow.  On the right the Mounted infantry fail to scout properly and Dervish appear, using the trees as cover.

And through it all Sir Portly B'Stard marches the column forward.  Apparently there is Apricot pie on the steamer!

The idiot Farthingdale charges, driving off Dervish riflemen

Worse, he follows up, fighting well but stupidly.

Even the Dervish Emir is here

Herbert is pinned but wallops the Dervish attack, four kills on five dice, losing three himself.  I knew that Mauser pistol was a good investment

Another Dervish attack.  Farthingdale is the only survivor.

And through it all Sir Portly advances.

Farthingdale joins the baggage train, hiding among the camels.

Sir Portly advances into trouble

Meanwhile both defending battalions are in serious trouble 

And the Dervish hammer both sides

Sir Portly discovers that his advance may just have been a little foolish

And the entire column stagger back pinned.  Just who is the fellow atop that penny farthing anyway? 

We have put up a solid fight but its all looking lost

The end game.  All very enjoyable!