Steele had opened the hall.
There were other men in the hall, a dozen or more, and all seemed shouting excitedly in unison with the crowd outside.

I did not try to hear what was said.

I edged closer in, among the men to the front.
Sampson sat at a table up on a platform.

Near him sat a thick-set grizzled man, with deep eyes; and this was Hanford Owens, county judge.
To the right stood a tall, angular, yellow-faced fellow with a drooping, sandy mustache.

Conspicuous on his vest was a huge silver shield.