08:44 Dec 19, 2008 

I think dissimulata fuga can't be abl. abs. An expression in abl. abs. may express five types of adverbial clauses (c. of time, of cause, of manner, of condition, of concession). This could be only one from these: clause of manner. But it can't be, because than it should be 'dissimulante fuga' for it is a simultaneous clause. He covers up his flight WHILE he's fleeing.
So it can be abl. modi, and 'quam maxime' underpins this explanation too. (Maxime dissimulata fuga se subduxit would be this part.) 'Quam maxime poterat dissimulata fuga' is a mixed cause: 'quam maxime poterat dissimulans fugam' and 'dissimulata fuga' are mixing here.

simulare and dissimulare: we were taught: simulare means: you try to make the others think something, that is not. Dissimulare: there is something, and you try to make the others think that there is not.