The drums have been beating at the local level, as well.

He heard the drums beat and saw the soldiers marching.

At nine o'clock the next morning, the drums beat to arms.

And the drums beat a steady thunder all the while.

He didn't like those drums beating all the time either.

"Didn't want us marching into the town without the drums beating!"

And far away the drums still beat, but that was unendurable.

I could feel the drums beating through the soles of my feet.

Here the windows looked out over the river, and the drums beat through them maddeningly.

Drums beat as the light moved; suddenly, a weird face appeared in the glow.