.

Edington Fight.
Now after this we held the great Dowsborough fort on Quantocks for a few days, looking out over the land that should see the greatest deeds of Alfred, the wise king, from Glastonbury in the east to the wide stretches of the great wood, Selwood Forest, beyond the Stanmoor fens; and there, in the clear air, and with plenty of good provender from the smiling Taunton vale behind us, we grew strong again.
The Danes marched on Bridgwater, and the garrison must needs leave the place and retreat to the heights at Petherton, and there hide.
I was grieved that my good ship was in Danish hands, but at least I knew that they would not harm her; and such was our faith in Alfred the king, that I believed that I should have her back.

Old Thord came up to us when his charge was thus lost.
"Maybe they will finish painting her, and we shall be able to launch her, when we go back, without more trouble," he said.

"Two of Hubba's ships, moreover, are worth having." Then the king rode up to us, and told us that we had done well, and that the great plan yet held.

Already he had messengers out throughout all the southern counties, and already men were gathering through the land and filling the towns that the Danes were leaving.
"When I know that the Danes have their eyes fixed on Quantock side again, I shall strike," he said.
So began again the life in Athelney and at Stanmoor fort; but now the Devon men gathered openly on our hills, and every day the Danish force grew also.