The hatchet was sharp, and had some weight to it so it was easier for Kelty to wield than her grandfather's axe. She stood a smaller piece of wood upon the great chopping block, took a careful stance with feet apart, and swung the hatchet down, splitting the log in half in quarters in eighths in strips.

These she lay in the basket, then gathered some bits of bark and twigs for smaller fuel. Over top of these, she lay on larger split logs, then sunk the hatchet into the chopping block and carried her wood inside, basket in one hand and lantern in the other.

Building the fire was a comfort from the cold, and a chore she performed dutifully and eagerly.