Read the following passage from heart of darkness and then answer the question. “hunters for gold or pursuers of fame, they all had gone out on that stream, bearing the sword, and often the torch, messengers of the might within the land, bearers of a spark from the sacred fire. what greatness had not floated on the ebb of that river into the mystery of an unknown earth! . the dreams of men, the seed of commonwealths, the germs of empires.” what is described in this passage? a. western exploration and colonization of africa. b. mankind's inherent need to explore and expand his territory. c. marlow's history as a modern-day pirate and adventurer. d. britain's long history of exploration and expansion.