Mafe King

Story of the Battle of Mafe King
Written by Ki Goff

The situation at the small town of Mafe King was grave. The British were holding out under the leadership of Baden-Powell, but just barely. They were eating their horses and donkeys for food, careful not to waste anything. They were surrounded by 9,000 Boers. They only had 1.250 armed men, and the willing villagers to help them survive the 217 day siege. With no equipment or supplies, Baden-Powell had to bluff his way through each night.

(Give examples of his bluffs). The buried land mines, the spot light system, the fully man(ikin)ed forts, the barb wire fence.

Baden-Powell had to find some way to get information past the Boer lines and into the hands of his friends. So he would go out, disguised as a butterfly hunter, and bring along a sketch book. When asked what he was doing, he would tell the inquirer that he was looking for a particular butterfly. What his questioners failed to realize was that hidden in the sketches of the wings were maps of the Boer encampments, and information.

He would give these pictures to young boys, his scouts, volunteers from the village, who would take it through the Boer encampments. If stopped they would explain that they were going to sell them, to get money for food. The Boers wouldn’t expect such young boys to be involved in the conflict.

We received at least one of these pictures. We are sending you (the troops) in to bring some relief to the soldiers, and Baden-Powell. Medicine, food, supplies, and the good news that his brother is leading the charge that will rescue the small town of Mafe King. Your troop friend is acting as your guide, he has an established reputation with the Boers, they trust him. He will help to guide you through the Boer encampments, and reach Baden-Powell.

Remember the Boers can no hear you speaking, or they will kill you. Be careful. Think things through. Work together. Work quickly, you will only have about ten minutes for each task that stands in your way. Good luck.

Courses for Seige

Snapping Turtle Pit

The troop must get across the “pit” using the two by fours. If any fall, take away 1 point, up to ten. If all of them get safely across, the troop earns 10 points.

The Bomb

Troop guide can only tell them their assignment is “to get the bomb to its final destination point.” If the troop follows the instructions, and don’t move the bomb, they receive 10 points. If they successfully move the bomb without it going off, they receive 7 points. If they move the bomb, but leave it at the wrong position, it is worth 5 points. If they move the bomb, and it goes off, they receive 0 points.

Poison Fence

The boys must get through the fence without touching the line. They are allowed to use each hole, only once or twice (depending on the size of the troop). If the boy touches the fence line, the troop loses a point, up to -10, and that boy can not help until the next activity. If all successfully make it through, the troop is awarded 10 points.

Spotlight Run

The boys need to dodge through the spotlights, without stepping into the beam of light. If they are caught in the beam, it is minus a point, up to 10 points. If all make it successfully through, the troop is awarded 10 points.

Map Reconnaissance
Five boys are given 45 seconds to run to the map, memorize all that they can, and then return. They report to the troop guide all that they can remember.
15 tents
2 large tents
3 medical tents
1 dining hall
2 explosive sheds
8 towers
9 artillery
2 gates
A mountain range to the west
A forest to the south

1 point for every item they recall. They receive 2 extra points if they have the right numbers, 1 if they have most of the right numbers. Total 28 points.

Man Down

A boy is shot by two guards, his leg is bleeding badly, and he has a stomach wound. The boy begs for water. The troop must perform the proper first aid for the leg (3 points), construct a stretcher from materials available (4 points), and transport the boy safely to a different area (3 points). If they don’t give him any water, it is an extra 2 points.

Total Points_______ (out of 60) could be a total of 90 points with all the extra points.