Which of these best fits gap 9?

Directions: Complete the passage by selecting the most suitable word/phrase from each list to fill the corresponding gap.

Since I could not go to the animals, maybe the animals would come to me.  Amazingly enough they did. I must ---9------------an odd sight as I sat on the high Indian plateau sowing.  The wary animals ventured only as far as the most distant clumps of slush.  Each morning I ---10------the cottage and hiked off in search of them.  I --------11----- the hierarchy changes as they settled their differences in violent fights.  Whatever I ---12----------about the animals, my inability ---------13------ communicate with them taught me great rewards of -------14------------.