westward. Biedma may have assumed it continued as last reported.

Despite apparent discrepancies, we must consider Biedma's statements carefully because of his official capacity.

Another strange statement by Biedma which we must take seriously is his assertion the Spaniards ate, and relished, dogs. Some historians have supposed he referred to opossums -- an animal unfamiliar to Europeans, Though opossums were strange, dogs were not. It is not likely the Spaniards were unable to distinguish a dog from any other creature.

Carl Sauer, who studied the foodstuff consumed by sixteenth century explorers, explains:

"Dogs were presented as food to the De Soto party from Florida to Louisiana. The first notice was by Biedma at Ocala.

"In the spring of 1540, when they were mid-way between Apalachen and the Savannah River, Elvas said a chief gave them `many small dogs, which the Christians esteemed as though they had been fat lambs.'

In South Carolina they were brought gifts of

`little dogs which do not bark and which are reared in the house in order to be eaten.'"

Sauer says the breed was indeed small, fat, barkless and raised indoors. Dogs of similar description were eaten by Spaniards in Espanola during the famine of 1494. In the conquest of Mexico, a long-bodied, short-legged dog -- barkless and reared indoors -- was consumed by Spaniards almost to its extermination.

PRINCIPAL CLUES FROM BIEDMA

1. Soto's main camp was on the northeast shore of a large bay.
2. The word "honda" means deep, large or difficult.
3. Chief Mococo lived eight leagues from Baya Honda.
4. Upon starting inland, the army marched "toward the sunset," then turned to the northwest.
5. Chief Hurripacuxi lived at Etocale about 20 leagues from the coast.
6. The expedition went on towards New Spain (Mexico), keeping 10 or 12 leagues from the sea coast.
7. Upon reaching Iniachico, the principal town of Apalache, the distance they had walked from the port was 110 leagues. This would place Baya Honada near Sarasota.