When The Hunted Becomes the Hunter! Book #16

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When The Hunted Become The Hunter! © 2014 by Raymond Cook is a 206 page story about people living in and around the small mining town of Marble, Colorado. The town was formed in 1881 and by 1899 the town had grown to over 400 people half of whom worked at The Yule Quarry just outside of town. But with more and more covered wagons of families arriving to stake their claim to 125 acres of land there came risks. Freezing to death in the winter was just one risk they faced.

There was also the risk of cholera, smallpox, attacks by scattered bands of Shoshone Indians who hated the white man deeply, murders by horse thieves or cattle rustlers as well as the unstoppable grizzly bear. Wolves howled under the light of the full moon and prowled ranches at night, hoping for a quick meal out of a goat or chicken. But neither put fear in the hearts of a husband or wife more than seeing a cougar track in the dirt near the outhouse.

This seven foot long predator was quiet as a mouse and was rarely seen. Come nightfall everyone headed for the outhouse together under the protection of a Winchester rifle in one hand and an oil lamp in the other. As more and more ranchers built their cabins in the middle of cougar country sightings occurred more frequently. As hard as groups of men rode through the mountains and valleys looking for the large cat it was as elusive as a ghost.

This book chronicles the life and times of families struggling to survive in the Colorado Territory facing untold dangers. After a cougar hurts its rear hip trying to bring down a deer it finds it can’t hunt prey anymore. It’s only chance to survive now is to hunt men, women and children. Take a trip back in time with me and relive the trials and challenges face early pioneers.