CHAPTER XX. IN A FOG HE IS SET TO WORK AS A BELL-TOLLER, AND BEHOLDS A HERD OF OCEAN-ELEPHANTS

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# CHAPTER XX. IN A FOG HE IS SET TO WORK AS A BELL-TOLLER, AND BEHOLDS A HERD OF OCEAN-ELEPHANTS ## Overview This is a chapter from the novel [Redburn: His First Voyage](arke:01KG8AJ9CVDS15WWAP46A9M4XP) by Herman Melville. It describes the protagonist's experience as a bell-toller during a dense fog on the Grand Banks, and his subsequent disappointment at the sight of whales. The chapter spans from line 3724 to 3864 of the source file, [redburn.txt](arke:01KG89J1GP71YDJ60P8SRH97MF). ## Context The chapter is part of [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. It is preceded by [CHAPTER XIX. A NARROW ESCAPE](arke:01KG8AJQSBY7TFC87FZJ5QHN8D) and followed by [CHAPTER XXI. A WHALEMAN AND A MAN-OF-WAR’S-MAN](arke:01KG8AJQS28BC5SY05CSW1RGD9). ## Contents The chapter recounts the narrator's experience with a Newfoundland fog while crossing the Grand Banks. He is assigned the task of tolling the ship's bell to warn other vessels. The narrator describes the dreary sound of the bell and compares it to announcing a funeral. He then recounts hearing strange noises in the fog and seeing what he believes to be whales, only to be disappointed by their small size. The chapter also includes a description of the Gulf Stream and the process of heaving the deep-sea-lead to determine the ship's location. The chapter is divided into three chunks: [Chunk 1](arke:01KG8AKWJD0B6ZM5R6250B5J72), [Chunk 2](arke:01KG8AKWJJJM653CQ5CXZ1NJ1A), and [Chunk 3](arke:01KG8AKWJJ0AT7NR6SSCSGVNQD).

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2026-01-30T20:49:14.896Z

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gemini-2.5-flash-lite

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CHAPTER XX.

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3864

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2026-01-30T20:47:38.127Z

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01KG89J1GP71YDJ60P8SRH97MF

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3724

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CHAPTER XX. IN A FOG HE IS SET TO WORK AS A BELL-TOLLER, AND BEHOLDS A HERD OF OCEAN-ELEPHANTS