noon
In imagination he already saw the disastrous result that was destined to follow this hasty expedition ; but his counsel to the contrary had been disregarded , and it was not a time now to dampen the ardor of the soldiers , on which alone success could depend , by expressing his fears and laying himself liable to further reproach and contumely . He had said and done all that was consistent in his situation to prevent the present step ; and he now saw proper to keep his fears of the result to himself ; the more so , as a retreat was out of the question . About dark the party came to halt , and encamped in the woods for the night . Early on the ensuing morning they resumed their march ; and a little before noon reached the southern bluffs of Licking river , opposite the Lower Blue Lick , distant from Bryan 's Station some thirty-six miles , and the place where , according to the opinion of Boone , the savages would be likely to lie in wait to give them battle . The scenery in the vicinity of the Licks , even at the present day , is peculiarly wild and romantic ; but at the period in question , it was relieved by nothing in the shape of civilization . The Licks themselves had for ages been the resort of buffalo and other wild animals , which had come there to lick the saline rocks , and had cropped the surrounding hills of every green thing , thereby giving them a barren , desolate , gloomy appearance . On the northern bank -- the one opposite our little army -- arose a tremendous bluff , entirely destitute of vegetation , the brow of which was trodden hard by the immense herds of buffalo which had passed over it from time immemorial on their way to and from the salt springs at its base .