1673.] TYRANNY OF PERROT. *29 



soldiers, who escaped to the woods, became cou~ 

 reurs de bois, or bush-rangers, traded with the 

 Indians in their villages, and shared their gains 

 with their commander. Many others, too, of these 

 forest rovers, outlawed by royal edicts, found in 

 the governor of Montreal a protector, under simi- 

 lar conditions. 



The journey from Quebec to Montreal often 

 consumed a fortnight. Perrot thought himself 

 virtually independent ; and relying on his commis- 

 sion from the king, the protection of Talon, and 

 his connection with other persons of influence, he 

 felt safe in his position, and began to play the 

 petty tyrant. The judge of Montreal, and several 

 of the chief inhabitants, came to offer a humble 

 remonstrance against disorders committed by some 

 of the ruffians in his interest. Perrot received 

 them with a storm of vituperation, and presently 

 sent the judge to prison. This proceeding was 

 followed by a series of others, closely akin to it, so 

 that the priests of St. Sulpice, who received their 

 full share of official abuse, began to repent bitterly 

 of the governor they had chosen. 



Frontenac had received stringent orders from 

 the king to arrest all the bush-rangers, or coareurs 

 de bois ; but, since he had scarcely a soldier at his 

 disposal, except his own body-guard, the order was 

 difficult to execute. As, however, most of these 

 outlaws were in the service of his rival, Perrot, his 

 zeal to capture them rose high against every ob- 

 stacle. He had, moreover, a plan of his own in 

 regard to them, and had already petitioned the 



