Out of the wilderness : a western story
(Book)

"When rancher Peter Dunstan bought Dr. Henry Morgan's land, Morgan's only stipulation was that Dunstan retain Sandy Sweyn as a ranch hand. Sweyn is generally considered to be a half-wit, yet he has a fabulous gift: he is able to communicate with animals. The most savage bronco will yield to his subtle persuasion even after expert horse-breakers have failed. Dunstan repeatedly tests Sweyn's gifts by assigning him what might be considered impossible tasks. The problem for Dunstan is that after each of these tasks is accomplished, the result carries some personal misfortune for him. It is ultimately for this reason that Dunstan drives Sandy Sweyn into the mountain wilderness where his prowess in time becomes legendary. But banishment is no solution for Dunstan when he comes to need Sandy more than ever before and his only way of getting him back is to resort to trickery."--Book jacket.