In the red badger what literary term describes this passage He did not see anything excepting mist of smoke gashed by little knives fire?

The passage you provided from "The Red Badger" uses several literary devices, but the most prominent is imagery.

Here's why:

* Imagery: The passage uses vivid language to create a picture in the reader's mind. "Mist of smoke gashed by little knives of fire" paints a powerful image of a chaotic and dangerous scene, likely a battlefield or fire. It appeals to our senses of sight and touch (the feel of smoke and heat).

While there are other potential literary devices at play, they are less clear-cut:

* Simile: While "gashed by little knives" could be interpreted as a simile, it's not a direct comparison using "like" or "as." It's more of a metaphorical description.

* Metaphor: The entire phrase "mist of smoke gashed by little knives of fire" could be considered a metaphor for the overall scene or the character's state of mind, but it's not a direct comparison.

Ultimately, imagery is the most prominent and effective literary device in this passage, as it vividly portrays the scene and creates a strong emotional impact on the reader.