Hammer and clink

The phrase hammer and clink used by Dickes in chapter 5 of Great Expectations, serves as a ticking clock building the tension before the search party heads out into marshes. The word clink originated from the metalic sound of  when the blacksmith's hammer riveting shackles.  This slang was popularised "The Clink" a notorious prison in Southwark, London, dating back to the 12th century.