What part of the plotline of "The End of the Trail" does the following quote represent?

[voliny13]

What part of the plotline of "The End of the Trail" does the following quote represent?

“He touched the knife against the dog's throat, and the spaniel whimpered in his arms.”


a) introduction
b) rising action
c) climax
d) falling action
conclusion
Just need some help for a class im taking and im stuck on this one question