The leader of an armed group in Fort Davis, Texas, claiming to represent the independent nation of Texas, has broken off all negotiations with the state authorities, who have surrounded him there. Authorities brought in bloodhounds and apparently cut off power to the group’s headquarters. The standoff, in its fifth day today, looked to be near an end after an agreement was drafted, but it wasn’t signed. By last night, Republic of Texas leader Richard McLaren wasn’t speaking to his attorney or police negotiators.