How does Eloise Jarvis McGraw use imagery in Moccasin Trail?

Imagery:

"Jim was suddenly and desperately homesick for Tom, and for the old, drifting, uncomplicated life, and the smell of beavertail bubbling over the fire." Chapter 4, Page 49

"Since the first day, all of them had ceased to think of the river as a mere body of water, rushing through natural causes to the sea. It was a monster, intent on their destruction, roaring with fury at their presence in his black-walled gorge, calling the rain to drench them and the snow to blind them and the wind to madden them and the rapids to drown them." Chapter 6, Page 77