ABSTRACT

According to ancient custom the name of a person must commemorate the most important incident at the time of his birth, and for this reason Yesukai called his first-born Temuchin. At birth the infant held in his little clenched fist a lump of clotted blood that looked like a red jewel, and the shaman prophesied that Temuchin would become a mighty warrior. This child Temuchin was in due course to be the greatest conqueror in history, Jenghiz Khan. Yesukai explained that he was travelling to find a bride for Temuchin. The white falcon with the raven in its talons was the banner of the Borjigin, and Dai Sechen had a daughter named Bortei, of the same age as Temuchin. Dai Sechen was also delighted with young Temuchin. Yesukai gave Dai Sechen his splendid saddle-horse, accepted gifts in return, and it was agreed that Temuchin was to stay here until the two hordes should send their live-stock to pasture together.