public boolean getBlocked(String direction)
  {
    if(direction == "north")
      return northBlocked;
    if(direction == "south")
      return southBlocked;
    if(direction == "east")
      return eastBlocked;
    if(direction == "west")
      return westBlocked;
    if(direction == "up")
      return upBlocked;
    if(direction == "down")
      return downBlocked;
    return false;
  }