They all wore the short jacket of the Southern peasantry, and as they sang they brandished pitchforks and scythes.

Some of them even only carried large navvies' shovels.

Every hamlet, however, had sent its able-bodied men.
Silvere, who recognised the parties by their leaders, enumerated them in feverish tones.

"The contingent from Chavanoz!" said he.

"There are only eight men, but they are strong; Uncle Antoine knows them.