The officers of artillery, in smart blue uniforms faced with black velvet and gold, were solidly banked across one end of the audience hall, with flashing new swords and their gilt-braided hats stiffly held under their arms. from the door of that chamber, around the gallery, down the state staircase, across the grandiose inner court of the palace, and out through the imposing gates to the street, stood a double line of soldiers, with their rifles at present arms. four regimental bands grouped in one wedged in the crowd. the people of the capital were massed in solid thousands on the plaza de armas before the palace. source: reed, john. "villa accepts a medal." insurgent mexico. new york: d. appleton and company, 1914. google books. web. 16 may 2011. read the excerpt below from "villa accepts a medal" by john reed and answer the question that follows.