Amid the thought of the fiery destruction that impended, the idea of the coolness of the well came over my soul like balm. I rushed to its deadly brink. I threw my straining vision below. The glare from the enkindled roof illumined its inmost recesses. Yet, for a wild moment, did my spirit refuse to comprehend the meaning of what I saw. At length it forced—it wrestled its way into my soul—it burned itself in upon my shuddering reason. O for a voice to speak!—oh, horror!—oh, any horror but this! With a shriek I rushed from the margin and buried my face in my hands—weeping bitterly. Which torture does the passage above reference?

Read the following excerpt from the way to rainy mountain by n. scott momaday: the young plains culture of the kiowas withered and died like grass that is burned in the prairie wind. there came a day like destiny; in every direction, as far as the eye could see, carrion (animal carcasses) lay out in the land. the buffalo was the animal representation of the sun, the essential and sacrificial victim of the sun dance. when the wild herds were destroyed, so too was the will of the kiowa people. which phrase in the passage most strongly contributes to its overall tone? a. day like destiny b. lay out in the land c. far as the eye could see d. withered and died like grass