In the following passage some of the words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives.

A young man walks toward me with a stick slung across his back and a (1) ______ of sheep at his feet, which carry him down the path (2) ______ a crowd of rowdy children. An older man follows, weatherworn but still (3) ______, a rifle over his left shoulder. He clicks his tongue to (4) _____ the flock. Behind him are two women on horses; I guess (5) ______ are his wife and daughter.