Read the excerpt from "a cub pilot" by mark twain. this was another shock. i began to climb the wheel like a squirrel, but i would hardly get the boat started to port before i would see new dangers on that side, and away i would spin to the other. how does the word squirrel contribute to the passage's tone? by comparing himself to a squirrel, the author creates a tone of surprise. by comparing himself to a squirrel, the author creates a tone of enjoyment. by comparing himself to a squirrel, the author creates a tone of gloom. by comparing himself to a squirrel, the author creates a tone of panic.