Who is The Small Boys of La Paz and Loreto from The Log from the Sea of Cortez and what is their importance?

The small boys, particularly is la Paz, were like a force of nature, swarming over the boat, following the party around town, and offering to do anything and everything the visitors might desire. Local policemen, who were affectionate but stern, kept them in check and stopped them from causing too much mischief.