The sledge shoes were of iron.

These David polished bright with sand, and then applied a coating of seal oil.

Finally the harness and long sealskin traces were examined, and all was ready.
It was the end of November when the Bay froze, but there was no certainty that travelling would be safe upon the sea ice beyond Fort Pelican before the beginning of January.

Therefore Doctor Joe confined his visits to the Bay folk during December, and on his first tour Andy served as driver with Jamie as passenger.
The dogs were harnessed after the Eskimo fashion.

That is to say, "fan shape," and not, as is customary in Alaska and among white men of the far northwest, in tandem.
Leading from the komatik (sledge) in front was a single thong of sealskin with a loop on its end.