Minorca is a small island off the coast of Spain. It is about 30 miles long and 10 miles wide. In the year 1760, a baby girl was born there. Her parents, Pedro and Maria, named her Amara. Maria had chosen the name because it meant “immortal.” Maria believed her daughter's soul would live forever. 

Amara lived with her parents in a small adobe house. The adobe had only two rooms. Three years later, a baby boy was born. Amara became a big sister to Nicolas. 

Amara grew into a child that everyone thought was a joy. She loved orchids, and the island was bursting with their blooms. So many flowers brought butterflies. Amara chased them through the warm spring air.  

Pedro was an excellent fisherman, and Maria tended their vegetable garden. Amara and Nicolas often sat in the crook of their huge olive tree. They picked the olives when they were ripe. 

The family was poor and owned little land. Pedro heard about a chance to be a successful landowner in Florida. The offer came from a Scottish doctor named Andrew Turnbull. It was too good to refuse.  

England had gained control of Florida in 1763. Dr. Turnbull was granted a large piece of land on Florida's east coast. He called this land New Smyrna. That is where the Minorcans would start the new colony. Pedro and Maria were excited but sad to leave home. 

Amara and her family said goodbye to Minorca. It was the only place they had ever known. Tears streaked their faces as they hugged those who were staying behind. Amara wondered who would take care of the garden. She wondered who would pick the olives from the tree. 

In 1768, eight-year-old Amara and her family set sail. A total of eight ships carrying 1,400 people left Minorca for Florida. The ships left out of the port in the city of Mahon. They sailed into the Mediterranean Sea. Then they traveled across the Atlantic Ocean towards America. It was a difficult journey. 

"Mama, my belly hurts," Amara cried. 

Maria gave her daughter bits of bread to settle her seasickness. After a few days, Amara felt better, but then Nicolas became ill. He had a high fever that would not break. It seemed as if they would never reach land. 

One hundred and fifty Minorcans died during the voyage to Florida. Amara's little brother was one of the unlucky ones. He didn't make it to their new home.  

"He wasn't strong enough," Pedro said sadly. He put his arms around Maria, but she was in despair. Amara had never seen her mother so sad. 

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the ship's captain saw land. Florida's coast appeared in the distance like a sliver of hope. The passenger's spirits were lifted, and even Maria was able to smile. It was a hot, sunny day that reminded Amara of home. 

Once on shore, it felt strange to walk on solid land. Amara's legs wobbled and she fell into the soft sand. Pedro helped her to her feet. 

The excitement quickly faded as the new colonists began to explore. There were thick swamps and wild brushes. Those areas would have to be cleared in order to build shelters. Huge alligators swam in the muddy waters. Amara saw fear in her father's eyes. 

Work on the new colony began right away. Pedro built a one room cabin using logs. The Minorcan colonists became indentured servants. This meant they would work for landowners for six to nine years. After that, they would be given ownership of a share of land. 

They planted indigo, used to make dye, which was then sold to Europe. The crop did not do as well as expected. Besides that, there were other problems. A boat carrying important supplies to the colony was shipwrecked. It never reached Florida. 

Amara was always hungry, and the few dresses she had were in tatters. She and her parents were barely surviving. Many colonists were dying of hunger and disease. 

One of the main causes of illness and death was malaria. Malaria is a blood disease carried by mosquitos. A single mosquito bite could cause a person to develop malaria. And the mosquitos were impossible to avoid. Altogether, about 400 colonists died the first year in New Smyrna. 

Not only that, but under direction of Dr. Turnbull, the men in charge treated the colonists horribly. Amara tended to her father after he was beaten by an overseer. It happened because he was not working fast enough in the field. 

* * * 

Months went by, and then years. Amara was becoming a young woman. 

In the third winter since leaving Minorca, Maria died. No one knew exactly why, but that was not unusual. Amara had little energy for tears, although her heart was broken. Her family was disappearing. She hated to think that she or her father were next.