West Devon Diary Fiction The Spirit of Drake’s Drum By Beverley Beck
EMILY was exhausted. It was lambing time and so many ewes were having twins. Her dad had broken his foot only a week ago and was hobbling around with a huge plaster-cast. This meant a lot of extra work for Emily and her mum.
year. You must be joking.” Emily’s dad’s voice rumbled to the doctor like thunderclouds ready to burst. “Well, I’m only thinking of you and your future health, Mr. Beresford. Nurse will come and check your foot again next week. Good-bye now and remember to try and rest as much as possible.” Mr. Beresford did try but he was aware of the pressure Emily and his wife were under. “Won’t be long now, me dears. Lambings nearly over and then you can have a day off Emily.” “A day off,” mused Emily. “Now that would be great. Time to myself,” she muttered under her breath.
The following Wednesday Emily spruced herself up spending ages in the shower washing her hair with a new shampoo her friend had recommended from the health shop. “Brings out all the highlights,” she’d said. Emily experimented with different hairstyles until finally opting for a natural look, flicked behind her ears in a casual non- committal kind of way. Just how she felt. Free like the breeze that touches the moors with a light caress on an early spring morning. “Shampoo smells lovely, “ Emily’s mum called up the stairs. “You have a good day now dear. Where do you think you’ll go?” “Thought I’d have a drive. Can I take the Landrover mum?” “Yes, of course you can. Be home for tea will you?” “I expect so,” Emily called from behind the wheel of the battered old Landrover as she carefully manoeuvred around the farm gates.
“Now, shall I turn left or right?”, she muttered. At that precise moment one of the farm’s tabby cats strode around the corner of the gate. His tail was perpendicular to the line of the road and then suddenly it moved in a sweeping motion and fell to the left. “Looks like the decision has been made for me. I’ll go left. “Thanks
10 “What! Relax at this time of the
George,” sang Emily, waving to the rather artful looking tabby. “Perhaps he knows something I don’t.” After a refreshing drive over the moor Emily found herself outside Buckland Abbey. It was as though she’d been driven there rather than driving herself. “I’ve not been here since mum and dad brought me several years ago. Be nice to have a look around again and gen up on all the history.” Emily’s thoughts raced through her mind like a babbling brook eager to break free of its stony restraints. She remembered today was the anniversary of Sir Francis Drake’s death.
Emily stood before Drake’s Drum reflecting on his life. She also thought about the man himself, his character, did he have a sense of humour and was he perhaps a tad wicked? Would he sail close to the wind or change tack sweeping aside
all caution; proceeding with full sails billowing like an impetuous peacock, proud of his feathers? She wished she knew all the hidden secrets the history books don’t reveal. Or perhaps don’t know. “You seem engrossed.” A male
voice challenged Emily’s thoughts and she turned to find a guide standing beside her. “Oh! Hello. Yes, my mind was wandering somewhat.” “Would you like me to talk to you about the great man?” volunteered the guide. “Yes please. I’m interested in Drake as a man. We know about his exploits but what was he really like?”
“I know there’s a legend that Drake helped the people of Plymouth by diverting a stream into the town, enabling them to have fresh water. It is said he did this.... ‘by riding onto Dartmoor and on finding a suitable spring he gave a smart lash to his horse’s side, pronouncing as he did so some magical words, when off went the animal as fast as he could gallop, and the stream followed his heels all the way into the town.’ “I think that shows he cared for the local people,” Emily replied. “Do you believe the story of Drake’s Drum?” the guide enquired. “It’s certainly an enthralling idea that the drum would beat in times of peril, alerting everyone to danger,” said Emily. “I believe it is rumoured that.... ‘there have been several occasions when the drum was said to
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