Fill in the blank (ix) with the help of the alternatives given.

Directions: Read the passage given below and answer the question.

A rich merchant owned a beautiful horse. Now, one of his neighbours was keen to (i) this horse. He offered the merchant gold, (ii) the merchant refused. This angered the neighbour. He (iii) to trick the merchant. He disguised himself (iv) a beggar and lay down at the (v) of the road, that the merchant used everyday. (vi) at the sad plight of the beggar, he (vii) from his horse and gently lifted the beggar (viii) his horse. No sooner did the beggar get into the (ix) than the galloped away. But hearing the merchant (x) out to him, he stopped when he was a safe distance away. “Please don’t tell anyone how you came to possess this horse. Some day an ill man may be lying by the roadside and people who have heard about your trick, may not want to help,’’ said the merchant. The merchant’s neighbour was deeply ashamed, rode back and returned the horse to the merchant.