"That's it—yes. He was a miner there. We visited his hut."
With still more agitation, the other went on:
"This is a most extraordinary thing. A man of the same name as myself. Strange—very."
But Nat shrewdly saw that the other's agitation proceeded from some deeper-seated cause than his surprise at a similarity in names.
"What did he say to you?" asked this new Elias Gooddale eagerly.
"Nothing," responded Nat.
"Nothing," echoed the other. "Don't trifle with me, boy. Did he not say something about righting a wrong? Did he not say anything?"
Nat shook his head.
"The Elias Gooddale we knew had been dead some time when we discovered his body," he rejoined.
The black-bearded man gave an exclamation of amazement and consternation. He regarded Nat more closely than ever.