The front of the fort was comparatively safe from attack, for the schooners guarded the river gate, and the Indians had a wholesome dread of these floating fortresses.
About the middle of the month the _Gladwyn_ sailed down the Detroit to meet a convoy that was expected with provisions and ammunition from Fort Schlosser.

At the entrance to Lake Erie, as the vessel lay becalmed in the river, she was suddenly beset by a swarm of savages in canoes; and Pontiac's prisoner, Captain Campbell, appeared in the foremost canoe, the savages thinking that the British would not fire on them for fear of killing him.
Happily, a breeze sprang up and the schooner escaped to the open lake.

There was no sign of the convoy; and the _Gladwyn_ sailed for the Niagara, to carry to the officers there tidings of the Indian rising in the west.
On May 30 the watchful sentries at Detroit saw a line of bateaux flying the British flag rounding a point on the east shore of the river.

This was the expected convoy from Fort Schlosser, and the cannon boomed forth a welcome.
But the rejoicings of the garrison were soon stilled.
Instead of British cheers, wild war-whoops resounded from the bateaux.

The Indians had captured the convoy and were forcing their captives to row.