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Santa Anna's tent. Santa Anna., asleep on a couch. Jose Prado, holding Santa Annas watch in his hand, stands near him. Enters Duque.

Where is His Excellency? [Motioning to Duque to speak low, and leading him to the corner farthest remote from Santa Anna's couch.] Hush, hush! he sleeps. [Henceforth speaking in whispers.] Then wake him, for I must report to him. Is your report then of so urgent nature?

It is. Since twelve o'clock my men have searched To find the least trace of the fugitives. All fruitless—as if wafted in the air, As if engulfed by an abyss that closed Immediately its yawning gulf again,