FORT DAVIS. May 4: Texas separatists laid, down their arms and left their mountain hideaway, ending their week-long standoff with authorities. But two heavily armed followers eluded authorities, fleeing into the woods, reports AP.

Richard McLaren, the self-styled ambassador of the Republic of Texas secessionist movement, signed a "cease-fire document" with the Texas Rangers at about 2:15 pm Saturday.

By 4 pm. McLaren and three followers abandoned their "embassy." a trailer in the remote Davis mountains. They left behind 24 pipe bombs, eight to 10 gasoline cans with coils around them, a propane tank with a

pipe bomb attached to it. along with 10 rifles and up to 700 rounds of ammunition, authorities said.

"They had a military-style ceremony at which they laid down their arms ... in a circle." Texas department of Public Safety spokesman Mike Cox said.

McLaren did not use the word "surrender."

"It was a cease fire and they agreed to come out," Cox said. "We are delighted to finally resolve a standoff situation that has been in the national limelight in a peaceful manner."

The group members were taken into custody at a Texas Rangers' command center. There, they were reunited with

McLaren’s wife. Evelyn, who left before noon, and another member who left Friday.

The five who surrendered were in jail, awaiting a bail hearing later Saturday night.

"I was captured, not surrendered, and I’m ashamed I didn't die," Greg Paulson told reporters as he was being taken to the Presidio County Jail in Marfa.

Although authorities found numerous weapons at the trailer, McLaren had told authorities that the devices "were no longer armed." Cox said.

The Department of Public Safety was searching for Richard Frank Keyes III and Mike Matson. They disappeared

into a heavily wooded canyoij wearing green camouflage and were believed to be carrying two rifles and a 9 mm pistol.

Authorities were using up to two dozen dogs, airplanes and troopers on horseback to search for them. Cox said.

Before the group surrendered, Ralph Matson told The Associateci Press: "My brother feels that he would rather die fighting for somebody's rights than spend the rest of his life in jail."

The 43-year-old McLaren, a Missouri native who moved to Texas in the 1970s, believes the country's second-largest state — once a possession of Mexico — was illegally annexed by the United States in 1845. He heads

one of at least three factions calling themselves the Republic of Texas.

When Mrs McLaren left the trailer mid-morning, she told officials that those she left behind were ready to come out. At that time, details for the ceasefire were finalized. The document was signed by Texas Rangers Capt. Barry Caver. Mrs McLaren and McLaren, Cox

"It was only a page and a paragraph long," Cox said. "Essentially all it was an agreement for a cease fire."

Gov. George W Bush, who had promised not to intervene in the standoff, said he was proud to see the matter resolved with-

out force.

"It re-emphasizes what I say. "Texans can run Texas,"' he said. The message ought to be very clearly to people that, you're free to think any way you want to think, but you better not arm up and hurt innocent citizens because we'll enforce the law in our state."

The stalemate began last Sunday, when several McLaren followers stormed the home of two neighbours in their remote suburb of the Davis Mountains and held the couple hostage in protest of the arrest of group member Robert Scheldt.

Scheldt was exchanged for the hostages early Monday, but the standoff continued.