in emiliano zapata's hometown of anenecuilco lives lauro puñales, a famous revolutionary leader and agrarian. the town's political boss and municipal president are confidants to the federals. the political boss urges the peasants to give him back the lands that they took from them, albeit lauro defends the peasants and also promotes the revolutionary cause. he is in love with rosenda, a widow and daughter of notable citizen damián rodríguez.