1. The problem asks for the slope of the line passing through the points $(-8, 3)$ and $(4, 1)$. 2. The formula for the slope $m$ between two points $(x_1, y_1)$ and $(x_2, y_2)$ is: $$m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$$ 3. Substitute the given points into the formula: $$m = \frac{1 - 3}{4 - (-8)}$$ 4. Simplify the numerator and denominator: $$m = \frac{-2}{4 + 8}$$ 5. Simplify the denominator: $$m = \frac{-2}{12}$$ 6. Simplify the fraction by dividing numerator and denominator by 2: $$m = \frac{\cancel{-2}}{\cancel{12}} = \frac{-1}{6}$$ 7. Therefore, the slope of the line is $-\frac{1}{6}$.