Their number have since swelled and shrunk, often coinciding with economic conditions. As they marched, their numbers swelled. At times his hands swelled so much he could barely move them. When they got there, the river was swelled up and cresting. The crowd eventually swelled to about 3,000. By the beginning of the 20th century, the population of Jaffa had swelled considerably. Soon his forces swelled to over 50,000. His audiences soon swelled from a handful into thousands. Numerous tributaries also swelled far over and beyond their banks. Many remained outside as planes were delayed and the airport swelled to capacity. The crowd swelled as the night went on. By 1860 the population had swelled to over 80,000, more than half being Chinese. There were reports that the number of protesters had swelled to 50,000. By then, the population had swelled to 120,000. Protesters swelled to 1,000 then to 5,000 as other students joined the crowd.