For one brief instant Timujin delayed
And then embraced the river, unafraid
Nor looked to any but himself for aid.
The Taidjuts came and searched the river's brim,
The while the waters lapped their quarry's chin
Within a span of where they searched for him.
Yet one there was who saw young Timujin
Yet by no sign betrayed him to the blood
Mad foe that passed the fugitive as he,
Half frozen, clambered, dripping, from the flood
And boldly sought the further charity 
Of him, the stranger, whom he follwed now
Among the pines that sadly moan and sough
And, bending, gravely to the young khan bow.

All wet with blood the searching spears had drawn
The youth emerged, when once the foe had gone,
Who had not hoped to see another dawn.
"Now, go!" the stranger cried. "Make haste and go!
"Go back to where thy kith and kin await,
"For if he finds you here with me you know
"Targoutai'll see that I do share your fate."
A borrowed horse the future ruler rode
Across the waste to where his pastures lay,
But only ashes were where his abode
Had been for long before that fatal day.
Sad sighed the winds across the dreary scene,
A lone wolf howled where Houlan's yurt had been,
As Timujin rode on with saddened mein.