Which external conflict does theoharacter face in this passage?
Which line from this passage serves as evidence that
supports the conflict?
How does the character respond to the conflict?
All the same, when I came to the Place of the Gods, I was
afraid, afraid. The current of the great river is very strong
-it gripped my raft with its hands. That was magic, for
the river itself is wide and calm. I could feel evil spirits
about me, I was swept down the stream. Never have I
been so much alone-I tried to think of my knowledge,
but it was a squirrel's heap of winter nuts. There was no
strength in my knowledge any more and I felt small and
naked as a new-hatched bird-alone upon the great river,
the servant of the gods.
-"By the Waters of Babylon,"
Stephen Vincent Benet

Read this excerpt from i never had it made. "it's all that ought to count," he replied. "but it isn't. maybe one of these days it will be all that counts. that is one of the reasons i've got you here, robinson. if you're a good enough man, we can make this a start in the right direction. but let me tell you, it's going to take an awful lot of courage." he was back to the crossroads question that made me start to get angry minutes earlier. he asked it slowly and with great care. "have you got the guts to play the game no matter what happens? " "i think i can play the game, mr. rickey," i said. the next few minutes were tough. branch rickey had to make absolutely sure that i knew what i would face. beanballs would be thrown at me. i would be called the kind of names which would hurt and infuriate any man. i would be physically attacked. could i take all of this and control my temper, remain steadfastly loyal to our ultimate aim? which is the central idea of this excerpt?