Final answer:
The narrator's tone in the passage can be best described as terrified.
Step-by-step explanation:
The narrator's tone in the passage can be best described as terrified. The passage includes phrases such as 'I was quaking from head to foot' and 'I was helpless', which indicate a strong sense of fear. Additionally, the use of hyperbole, like 'I could have hung my hat on my eyes', further emphasizes the narrator's panic.