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

A young man walks toward me with a stick slung across his back and a (1) _________ of sheep at b is 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.