During the auction, Grumpy makes a surprise bid that the sheriff accepts and immediately ends the auction. When Grumpy is approached that night with an offer three times what he paid, he and Ripley know they have stumbled onto something big and are determined they won't let go of the railroad until they have a square deal for the girl who had owned the railroad -- and one that would keep Lively on the map. They soon discover that they are up against the Denver and Pacific, a multi-million-dollar corporation that won't hesitate to use whatever means necessary to accomplish its purpose.