The correct answer is: A) refuting a counterclaim.
Explanation:
Argumentative essays are written to present a thesis on a point of view of a particular subject, with the support of evidence to justify the taken position. In order to make the argumentative essay more successful, the writer has to prevent possible counterclaims by anticipating opposing points and refuting them. The part of the essay in which the author does this is the "refuting a counterclaim" one.
The passage describes the character as extremely afraid of his possible death; so afraid, in fact, that he was thrown into a panic attack, and he "turned and ran up the creek-bed along the old, dim trail". He wasn't strong enough to control his reaction.
