Elated
Very happy
Tattered
Old and torn
Make up their minds
Make a decision
Throngs of people
Crowds of / many people
Reassuring
Comfort, to remove one's doubts / fears
Desperately
In despair (without hope) and distress (panic)
Wailing
Crying very loudly
Assist
To help
On the verge of
Nearly about to (on the edge)
Fruit of their hard labour
The gains achieved from hard work