Barchin’s letter, Alpomish’s journey and Qorajon

Barchin sends ten young men with ten horses to the Qo‘ng‘irot with a petition: let Alpomish come, or let her be given her answer. Wanting to keep his son from danger, Boybo‘ri hides the letter in a chest, shows it to no one and entertains the couriers for twenty days. Qaldirg‘ochoyim finds the letter in the chest, brings it to her brother Hakimbek (then fourteen) and tests him with sharp words, urging him to set out. Boybo‘ri meanwhile orders the horse-herder Qultoy to give his son no horse and turn him back with threats. Qultoy beats Alpomish with a stick and sends him back; when his sister encourages him again, Alpomish throws Qultoy to the ground the second time. After Qultoy gathers the herd with a “qur-hayt” call, Alpomish casts the lasso and it catches a dappled horse; he lets it go, but the lasso falls on the same horse again, and Qaldirg‘ochoyim calls it a lucky one. His sister dresses him for the road and blesses him; Alpomish also takes the feathered bow left by his grandfather Alpinbiy.