But it may be some little time before anything of importance takes place; and as, at present, what fighting there is is a considerable distance away, he thinks it best that you should reserve yourselves for some great occasion; unless, indeed, the Blues endeavour to penetrate the Bocage, when, I have no doubt, you will know how to deal with them, when they are entangled in your lanes and woods." "We will go, every man of us!" one of the peasants shouted, and the cry was re-echoed, with enthusiasm, by the whole of the men.
It was nearly an hour before Leigh and his sister were able to withdraw from the crowd, and make their way homeward.
"It is difficult to believe that men so ready and eager to fight can be beaten," she said.

"Did you notice, too, that their wives all looked on approvingly?
I believe that, even if any of the men wished to stay away, they would be hounded to the front by the women.

I think that, with them, it would be regarded as a war for their religion; while with the men it is the conscription that has chiefly driven them to take up arms.".