After getting his own horse for riding, Manas felt his oats at once. “Where is my uncle Balta？”he asked his mother in haste. Though Chiyirdi was reluctant to be estranged from her son, she knew for sure that Manas was geared up to get involved in the magnificent exploits in the future. It was impossible for Manas to keep her company for ever. So she told Manas the location of Balta’s residence. “Your uncle lives in a cramped house under the surveillance of Qalmaq tribe members. So you’d better drop in on him in the evening instead of the daytime,” Chiyirdi said.
At the sunset, Manas and his mother departed from each other. He left for the place of his uncle by horse in company with Majik. Balta had craved for encountering with Manas for a total of nine years. As the dusk came every day, he would look into the distance from a large rock. Today, his long-cherished dream came true eventually. He did his utmost to calm down while meeting with the youths. After hiding the youths’ horses at a cave, the sober-minded old man led them into his own yurt. The reason why Balta was so cautious lied in the fact that a Qalmaq augur lived in the same village. Once he found something unusual, the youths’ visit would cause great trouble and all the people involved in much-awaited consultation would be in jeopardy.
At night, Balta and his nephew Manas discussed the whole situation very carefully. “Your attention should be focused on what is happening in the southwest. And the ultimate destination should be Samarkand. To the north of Samarkand lies a region named Bielzaz. The region was occupied by Qalmaq people and your two uncles Junmurgirchi and Shigai were put under surveaillance of those Qalmaq rulers in there. You should be scrupulous in handling the crisis over there. And don’t take reckless actions. What I said must be kept absolutely secret merely because it is closely related to the fate of our Kyrgyz people,” Balta said. Then, he went on giving them an introduction
Manas Drives Enemies off and Fellow Villagers Elect and Proclaim
29
the Teen as Khan of Their Clan
to what Kyrgyz people had suffered. “I have already set my son to ask for a coat armor from Budai Khan. The coat armor is supposed to be invulnerable to the attacks of swords and spears. In a short while, he and his twenty colleagues will join your forces, bringing you the magical coat armor as well. You’d better set off on your journey at dusk tomorrow so as to keep Jakip from tampering with your actions. Jakip is a near-sighted and narrow-minded person who regards you as a fledgling and is bound to meddle in your affairs. But I think you’ll become a fledged hawk. Just ask an old person named Bakai, who will be a prop and comfort to you. Just do what you are required according to your own will. And Allah will bless you!” Balta said.
Balta’s words endowed Manas with a lot of confidence and power. Manas felt he was full of beans. In addition to setting the pure gold saddle onto the horseback, Manas put on the coat armor which was free from the attacks of arrows.
Before Manas’ departure, Balta uttered the words of profound significance:
“You are my nephew.
You are my son as well.
In the name of our deceased ancestors from our former seven generations,
You must keep in mind Kyrgyz people’s misery.
You’ve already set your lofty goals firmly.
So you should be resolved to take your courage in both hands in the face of danger.
Only in this way will you reach the territory of Samarkand.
In the middle of your passage to Samarkand lies a village which has never been plundered.
A heroic giant named Koshoi lives there.
Qalmaq tribesmen lose their nerve to keep the local population under just because of him.
He is Kathan’s son with nerves of steel.
Your fathers are half brothers.
So you’d better call in on him first of all in order to express your respect.
You should not be fed up with or be afraid of a high mountain because a high mountain stands for fatherhood while water embodies motherhood.
And this is the tenet of us, Kyrgyz people.”
After bearing in mind Balta’s advice, Manas and Majik mounted their
Legend of Manas
respective awesome horses and kicked off their passage. It took them only a little time to scale the inclined slope of the Khangsibier Mountain. Viewed from the mountain slope, a wide expanse of flat grassland had a strong appeal to the youths.
They saw a group of Kazak youngsters playing the game called “Attack on Imperial Palace” on the mountain slope. A young fellow in his 20s named Kokcho led such a 30-strong team. Manas had never played the game of its kind. With a supple mind, they were dexterous and quick in action during the game. Intrigued by the game, Manas and Majik joined the team finally.
While their game was still under way, a 300-strong camel team was caught sneaking into the mountain slope suddenly. “All the camel riders belong to Alooke. And the giant taking the lead is Dowduur,”someone said. Qalmaq camel riders stalked arrogantly towards the youths who got involved in the game. In the eyes of Qalmaq people, the youths seemed unworthy of serious consideration. As a result, the camels were led to take a shortcut and traverse the mountain slope by the riders assuming a haughty air. Preoccupied with playing the game with others at that time, Manas did not notice that Qalmaq people were coming nearer and nearer. A sheep bone that Manas hurled accidently shot up from his hand like an arrow. The sheep bone darting through the air broke the two legs of a black male camel which was the favorite of Dowhan, a rich Qalmaq man. Almost at the same time, the black male camel fell down to the ground as a high mountain collapsed.