Slaves or serfs were not allowed to carry weapons, and so had to slink past the freemen without making any sign.
Nowadays people do not carry weapons; but those who would have been entitled to do so, such as knights, esquires, and men-at-arms, that is anyone living on their own property or earning their own living, still go through the form of saluting each other by holding up their hand to their cap, or even taking it off.
"Wasters" are not entitled to salute, and so should slink by, as they generally do, without taking notice of the free men or wage-earners.
To salute merely shows that you are a right sort of fellow and mean well to the other; there is nothing slavish about it.
If a stranger makes the scout's sign to you, you should acknowledge it at once by making the sign back to him, and then shake hands with the LEFT HAND. If he then shows his scout's badge, or proves that he is a scout, you must treat him as a brother-scout, and help him in any way you can.
SCOUT'S UNIFORM.
SCOUT'S UNIFORM. Patrol Leader with Scout.
If you already belong to a corps which has a uniform, you dress in that uniform; but on passing the tests for a scout given here you wear the scout badge, if your commanding officer allows it, in addition to any of your corps' badges that you may have won.
A scout does not use a showy uniform, because it would attract attention; but scouts in a patrol should, as far as possible, dress alike, especially as regards hats, or caps, and neckerchief.