The Healer by Daniel P. Mannix

structure near the shed and lifted out a front panel. Inside braces had been nailed to the walls to support a dozen thin trays. At the bottom of the structure was a small cast-iron stove.
    "Start a fire in the stove while I lay out the herbs," said Zook. Billy was unaccustomed to starting fires, so after the old man had spread the herbs out on the trays, he had to make the fire himself. Then the trays were slid back into the structure and the panel replaced. Abe Zook carefully checked the drafts before he was satisfied.
    "Tomorrow the herbs are dry for packing," he explained. "Now the chores we do."
    The chores consisted of milking the cows, feeding the horse, and driving the sheep into the sheepfold with Wasser's help. It was growing dark when they had finished, and the chickens had begun to go to roost. Grip had already disappeared. As they headed back to the house, a dilapidated car pulled into the lane and Wasser rushed toward it, baying furiously.
    "Make fast with your barking," called Abe Zook irritably. The car stopped and a lean man swung himself out. Like Abe Zook, he wore a flat, black hat with a wide brim, but he had no beard. The two men greeted each other, and then the stranger saw Billy.
    "An auslander!" he said, surprised.
    "Ach, a boy he is only. Come in, have a sitz."
    They entered the cabin and Billy settled back on one of the benches by the fire to listen.
    "I have much trouble," said the lean man, as he folded himself into a chair like a foot rule closing.
    "By some people the trouble comes," agreed Abe Zook, sitting down on a box. "But all have got somewhat."
    "Three sheep them dogs killed last night."
    "I heard. But one is not a dog. He is a wolf. He leads the other on."
    "This makes eight sheep they have killed this year, and many chickens. I have sat up for them with a gun but then they never come. We must run them down with dogs."
    Abe Zook considered. "You left out the dead sheep?"
    The other nodded. "Good. Perhaps they eat tonight. What dogs will you take?"
    "All my three. Isaac Lapp is coming with his two. You will bring Wasser?"
    "Wasser I'm bringing. Tomorrow before it makes light we go to where the dead sheep are. If the wolf and the dog who runs with him have come during the night to eat, we should be able to take them."
    Billy could contain himself no longer. "Can I come?"
    Both men started at the shrill voice. "Why no?" said Abe Zook. Then to his friend, "He is from the city and does not know our ways too well, but he is a good boy. Today he dug roots with me."
    The lean man rose. "With you it is." He looked at Billy without any great enthusiasm. "One hour before sunup I come for you."
    When he left, Billy was jumping with excitement. This did not seem like trapping or shooting, and he wanted to see what Wasser would do. Abe Zook explained to him how the hunt would be conducted. Everything depended on the killers coming back to their prey. Then the scent would be fresh and the dogs could be put on it at first light. He described the hounds as individuals, their strengths and weaknesses. Ike's Blue was the most reliable and had the best nose but was getting on in years. His Rock was fast and determined but lacked experience. "When a hound is old enough to really know hunting, then he is too old to hunt," said Zook wistfully. Buck was a good fighting dog and had brought bears to bay, but on the trail he was of little help. Isaac Lapp's Spot was good as long as he did not run trash—turn off on a fox or deer line. Squealer's only real attribute was his penetrating voice. "Without, a dog who will tongue the trace hard, the pack you will lose." The greatest problem, granted they found a hot scent, was that none of the pack was used to hunting such quarry. "This is where Wasser will be the best. He knows the scent and hates the wolf. To help him, I make a charm."
    From a jar fat was produced, from an old boar raccoon who had fought off a pack of five dogs before the hunters could dispatch him. To