It was a scant three miles to town, and he would rather walk that short distance than to be bothered with a horse.

When he took Old Nig, he had to keep to the main-traveled road straight into town, then tie him to a post--and worry about him all the time; but afoot and alone, he could move along as easily as he pleased, linger on the canal bank or cut cross-lots through the fields to the river, cross it on the footbridge, then go on to town by the lower meadows.
The road was dusty that afternoon, and the sun was hot.

It would be cooler under the willows by the river.

At Cottonwood Corners, Dorian left the road and took the cut-off path.

The river sparkled cool and clear under the overhanging willows.