"How came you to know it?"
"I had been over it before."
"The whole distance?"
"Yes, sir."
"Mr. Hickory, were you well enough acquainted with the route not to be obliged to stop at any point during your journey to see if you were in the right path or taking the most direct road to your destination?"
"Yes, sir."
"And when you got to the river?"
"I turned straight to the right and made for the bridge."
"Did you not pause long enough to see if you could not cross the stream in some way?"
"No, sir. I don't know how to swim in my clothes and keep them dry, and as for my wings, I had unfortunately left them at home."