Alter fewer players similar to 18xx

[keybounce2]

In some games, like monopoly, changing the number of players has a serious affect on the starting supply of goods and the consumption. In others, like 18xx, the game is "in theory" the same -- 18xx has about the same total starting money, divided among the players, and consumes corporations/trains at about the same rate.

In MULE, having a 2 player game means that you will develop land much slower, bring income into the colony much slower, and then your lower-valued colony is still judged at 12 rounds.

How can it be made closer to the 4 person game? How can "game play" be kept more-or-less constant as players change?

Ideas:
1. Fewer players == more rounds
2. Fewer players == more time per round, more starting cash/resources, and more land given out.

Thoughts?