Pena’s second sally into Lower Creek country was not as successful as his first. When the Spanish Indian agent reached the Chattahoochee late in August, 1717, Brims was unreceptive. Although he agreed to assemble his chiefs and military leaders at Tasquique to give Pena a hearing, he seemed unenthusiastic about a Spanish alliance. At Tasquique where Pena had the opportunity to present Brims with the gifts from Ayala, the Indian agent made his plea for an alliance. Brims accepted the gifts but was reluctant to agree to a treaty and put off Pena when the Spaniard pressed the emperor for a decision. In the meantime, the Lieutenant learned that the Lower Creek country had become the center of a three-cornered struggle among the French, English, and Spanish for the friendship of the Indians. Just before Pena’s arrival, three English traders with a Negro lackey had been plying Brims and his chieftains with grifts, hoping to win the Indians over to the English side. The French in Mobile had also become active in Caveta country when they sent 150 men into the Ayabamo territory to secure an alliance with Tactipique’s Talapuses. Ultimately, Pena went so far as to ask Brims to oust his French and English competitors, but the emperor refused. At this the Spanish lieutenant retired to his camp site and drank an entire bottle of rum, which, he claimed, gave him at least temporary solace. [Note 26: Interim gov to king 11/19/1717] (Tepaske GSF)