The origin of the King Arthur story is somewhat mysterious. We don't have a definite single author. It's a tale that emerged from a combination of oral traditions and different sources that have shaped it over time.
The King Arthur story has no clear-cut original author. It evolved through multiple tellings and re-tellings, with contributions from many storytellers and writers over the years.
One of Herman Melville's notable novels from 1847 could be 'Omoo'. It is a semi - autobiographical work that continues the adventures of a sailor. In 'Omoo', Melville vividly describes the South Sea islands, their cultures, and the life of the sailors there. The novel is rich in descriptions of the local people, their customs, and the natural beauty of the islands. It also delves into themes such as freedom, exploration, and the relationship between different cultures.
I'm not sure specifically what the 'herman story' is without more context. It could be about a person named Herman, his experiences, adventures, or something related to his life.
Most probably it's Herman. Given that it's named the 'herman story', it makes sense that Herman would be the central figure. He could be a real person around whom the story is built, or a fictional character created for the story's plot.