The author’s use of the word "treacherous" helps convey the idea that the path is dangerous and unpredictable. This is further emphasized by the speaker’s repeated use of the words "uncertain" and "dreadful." The speaker’s tone is both ominous and suspenseful, which makes the reader feel anxious about what might happen next. What is the most likely reason why the writer uses the word “treacherous”?

In this passage, the word "treacherous" is used to