"Devon will gather to you across the Quantocks also." "Ay," he said; "and you will need them with you." Then said I: "Hubba is in Wales, and is likely to come here when he hears that his fellows are gathering against us.

Then will Devon be needed at Combwich in Parret mouth, or at Watchet." "That will be Devon's work," the king said.

"If Hubba comes before your ships are ready to meet him, he must at least be driven to land elsewhere, or our stronghold is taken behind us." Now I was so sure that Hubba would come, that this seemed to me to be the weakest part of the king's plan.

But Alfred thought little of it.
"My stronghold seems to be on Quantock side; it is rather beyond Selwood, in the hearts of my brave thanes and freemen.

Fear not, cousin.