2 SECESSIONISTS CONTINUE TO ELUDE TEXAS SEARCHERS.

Byline: Associated Press 

Authorities used planes and helicopters Sunday to scour miles of rugged terrain for two armed members of a Texas secessionist group who fled into the mountains before their leader ended a weeklong standoff.

The air search went on while explosives and booby traps were cleared from around the trailer and cabin that the Republic of Texas group had declared its ``embassy'' in remote western Texas.

Officials predicted the two men could not last long in the hills.

``Eventually, they're going to get real hungry and thirsty,'' said Mike Cox, Department of Public Safety spokesman. He said the operation was becoming a ``routine manhunt.''

Richard McLaren, the self-styled ambassador of the group, and five of his followers were in custody after holding off state troopers in an armed siege that began with a brief hostage-taking on April 27.

McLaren signed what he called a ``cease-fire document'' Saturday afternoon and, along with three others, left their mountain hideaway. McLaren's wife, Evelyn, had given up earlier Saturday and another member of the group had done so Friday.

McLaren and three followers have been charged with organized criminal activity, a felony punishable by up to life in prison and a $10,000 fine. McLaren's wife is awaiting arraignment on federal charges unrelated to the standoff.

One of the two missing men, Richard Frank Keyes, is charged with organized criminal activity and aggravated kidnapping in connection with the hostage-taking that sparked the standoff. No charges have been filed against the other missing man, Mike Matson.

The stalemate began when several McLaren followers stormed the home of two neighbors and held the couple hostage to protest the arrest of a group member, Robert Scheidt. The hostages were exchanged April 28 for Scheidt, who later surrendered and was taken back into custody.

McLaren heads one of at least three factions calling themselves the Republic of Texas. They believe Texas was illegally annexed by the United States in 1845 and are seeking independence.