The Red Cloud chief., 1878-12-26
YAHOO KHAN.
thcokered Career ~ the Heir TO the
Afghan Throne,

AtxuAn luTvne.
Tha, time brings its own revenge has
!. long been accepted as \ truism, and
\ certainly its truth VIA never better r,.
emplitcd than in the person of the
young Afghan Prince. known 10 the
world as Yakoob Khan. Tho character
81 Yakoob Khan shines out from mong
that Of all his counirymcn. not only N
the most able and the most Intelligent,
but also As the most courteous. the
most moderate. and the most refined.
The life al such u man Is a study In IL.
self. and it, recital will arouse sympathy
in the hearts 81 all true lovers ~ brave
dNAis and noble actions. HIS life l.
also oont.rminous with the mos, event
ful portion u modern Afghan history.
and his career Is closely in,ortwincd
with the fortunes 81 Shcrc Ali. Yakoob
Khan was born in ar about the wear
1919, II n noble mother. His first mp
pcarance in public life may be said Ia
toe the when he detected the
European b.neath the disguise of the
dervish. and despite the nucncy and
anerve II Arminius Nambcry. That
was in November, 1868. when the
Afghan Prince appeared la the traveller
"agood humored. inexperienced child
Since then. whether he has retained
his good humor or not. he has certainly
acquired q vast experience Of lifc's Vi.
cissitudes.
His career in the history oi his coun.
try commenced very shortly after his
interview with the Hungarian traveller.
vr in 1864 Shere Ais brothers dispu.
Id his possession of the crown, and
Yskoob Khan was left In command nj
the recently captured fortress IL Hcrat.
While Shere All was carrying on the
war with = val wing fortune. victorious
at kuiboaz. routed nj ShaikhabAd.
losing his eldest son In the former fight,
and deserted by his hes, General. Ma
Ahpmed Rehk. on the eve 81 the latter,
Nat Ia the end expelled from Candahar
! and all the eastern country. iskoob
: Khan was slowly hut surely consolids,-
ing his rule over Herat and ferrsh and
propitiating. in 80 far ~ he vas able.
the Northern Khan II Maimene' So IL
| happened that when Shere Ali suffered
, his last overthrow beneath the walls ~
Kpslatit;unji and fed 10 Herst, he had
nJY abandoned all hope II restoring
the declining fortunes ~ his cause.
During three years Yakoob Khan had
preserved peace in the West, aud had
restrained the Persians, aud had sent
many 4 welcome contingent Of hardy
troops to the scene IL battle In Canda-
har and Cabul. There was yet one
chance left. but the degree 81 success
that nigh, be- attained no longer rested
with Shere Ali. In the field II battle
he had been worsted both by Aim and
Abderraham. and his wi reputation
Ad become dimmed by disaster.
The fate II Cabul trembled In the
balance when il real srbiter advanced
on Candahar In the early days 81 1865.
The city fell NJ once after \ sharp Eight
la the outskirts ~ the town. and then
once more Candahar h. came Shere AIS
base for the r~econquest II CaJul. In
the s&eantime the disinte2rating causes
in the confederacy ~ the Barucksai
brothers we're now beginning 10 become
manifest. On Afxul's death. his young
est brother. Azim. seized the reins OF
power. and relocated Abderrahmsn 10
the minor post II governor OF baikh.
Hisxown son. Sur~ar khaa, had tus'
beek driven out Of CanhahAr by Ia
koob Khan. Abderrahmsn's hostility
was scarcely concealed N HE uncle,
AGim. who evidently desired 10 found q
dynasty Of his own, and Abderfahman,
knowing the ability Of the man. must
hege dreaded the contingency ~ almost
in itabls. Whatever claims Asim may
have had TO the admiration OF his
country men as . wise statesman he Tor
y feited BY his tyranny. onee he cams "a
supreme control. So nj frat the foin'
army Of Shere Ali aad YAkoob khan
encountered little opposition. Cabul.
After an absence 81 smore than three
ye3s. was entered in triumph. end
souAh Of the Hindoo koosh their re-
remained no rebel
Asim In the vhils had he'd "a