"an officer of the federal force, who in a spirit of adventure or in quest of knowledge had left the hidden bivouac in the valley, and with aimless feet had made his way to the lower edge of a small open space near the foot of the cliff, was considering what he had to gain by pushing his exploration further."

the description of the officer's spirit of adventure foreshadows

a.) that he will lie to the union commander.

b.) that he will seriously injure himself upon falling.

c.) that he will be the only observer of the horseman's fall.

d.) that he will question carter's part in the strange incident.

d is not the right answer just saying i took the test and got d wrong