What does 'looks' mean here?

I decided i'd use the old pioneer way of marking time and distance; I'd go three or four 'looks', and if I still saw no sign of it, I'd turn around and go back.

Thanks in advance!

Question

What does 'looks' mean here?

I decided i'd use the old pioneer way of marking time and distance; I'd go three or four 'looks', and if I still saw no sign of it, I'd turn around and go back.

Thanks in advance!

Answer

I'm in central U.S. I have not heard this term, looks.  I have researched it for about five minutes and do not see an explanation.
From the context I'd guess it is representing a distance travelled.  A person could travel the distance to a landmark, like a tree or hill. Then travel another short distance to another landmark. Not finding what they want, they could safely return using the landmarks. 
There is a word used in some Native American cultures called, "Sleeps." It represents a unit of time meaning the hours a person sleeps. This seems similar and perhaps more research within the Native American cultures would help you.

Đừng bỏ lỡ cơ hội học ngoại ngữ ngay tại nhà. Hãy xem danh sách các gia sư ngôn ngữ giàu kinh nghiệm của chúng tôi và đăng ký buổi học đầu tiên ngay hôm nay!