Chapters 15 through 19 Summary

In "To Survive with the Help of his Hands," Kristina begins unpacking the chest filled with possessions from home. Robert packed fishing supplies which they now realize will be very useful. Kristina finds some things she does not remember having packed and all evoke memories of Sweden. The chest is the only piece of furniture in the shanty and it is used as a table for the family's meals. There is no hearth in the shanty and Kristina cooks over an open fire outside. One day Kristina realizes that Robert and Karl are looking extremely shaggy and she uses her shears to cut their hair. Robert asks that she cut his as short as possible in the hope that he will be safe from Indians seeking to scalp him. Shot and powder for their only gun is scarce and Robert learns...