In place of a pipe, therefore, Compton found comfort in chewing, not tobacco, but a meat lozenge.

As he chewed he watched the two little dull green spots, and the crocodile watched him with the deadly patience that so often brings grist to the mill, or, rather, food to his jaws.
It was not a pleasant companionship, and Compton, after a long attempt to stare the reptile down, turned his back to it and watched the efforts of several large moths to get at the light through the mosquito curtains.

He could not so much see them as hear them, from the way they bumped into the net, and the little soft splash they made as they dropped into the water.

By-and-by there came another sound, made by some large fish, who had also been attracted by the light, and then by the fat moths.
The news that these were good eating quickly spread under water, and presently there was quite a gathering about the boat.

Then Compton turned to look at his unwelcome watcher.