[Templates] keys and sort returning empty in template

[Stephen Howard]

For some reason, when I do this:

[% USE Dumper; Dumper.dump(fields.sort); %]

I get this (same result as if i did fields.keys.sort):

$VAR1 = '';

even though when I do this:

[% USE Dumper; Dumper.dump(fields); %]

I get this:

$VAR1 = {
          '01:first_name' => 'Stephen',
          '02:last_name' => 'Howard',
          '03:address_1' => '',
          '04:address_2' => '',
          '05:city' => 'XXXXXXXX XXXXXXX',
          '06:zip_code' => 'XXXXX',
          '07:day_phone' => '',
          '08:evening_phone' => '',
          '09:mobile_phone' => '',
          '10:email' => 'stephen@XXXXXXXXXXX',
          '16:help' => 'Walk My Town'
        };

I'm running 2.06 with the XS extensions enabled.  I'm royally confused.  Anyone know 
why I can't sort this hash (also wondering why the hash already seems to be 
sorted...I'm guessing it's just luck)?

-Stephen