When Major Cavagnari returned to India, the Amir's officials confiscated my property, and gave the Chiefship to my cousin[1] [or enemy], Bakram Khan.
'The oppression I suffered on your account is beyond description.
They ruined and disgraced every friend and adherent of mine.

On the return of Major Cavagnari to Kabul, I sent my Naib [deputy] to him, who informed him of my state.

Major Cavagnari sent a message to me to the effect that I should recover my property by force if I could, otherwise I should go to the hills, and not come to Kabul until I heard from him.

In the meantime I received news of the murder of the Envoy, and I am still in the hills.' The thought of what might be in store for those who were now aiding me troubled me a good deal.

No doubt their help was not disinterested, but they were 'friends in need,' and I could not be quite indifferent to their future.
I had several interesting conversations with Yakub Khan, and in discussing with him Sher Ali's reasons for breaking with us, he dwelt on the fact that his father, although he did not get all he wished out of Lord Mayo, was fairly satisfied and content with what had been done for him, but when Saiyad Nur Mahomed returned from Simla in 1873, he became thoroughly disgusted, and at once made overtures to the Russians, with whom constant intercourse had since been kept up.
Yakub Khan's statements were verified by the fact that we found Kabul much more Russian than English.