Final answer:
The evidence from the passage that best supports the conclusion that early explorers were either brave or reckless is the statement that some prisoners believed sailing on uncharted waters would be better than rotting in a dungeon.
Step-by-step explanation:
The evidence from the passage that best supports the conclusion that early explorers were either brave or reckless is the statement that some prisoners believed sailing on uncharted waters would be better than rotting in a dungeon. This shows that these prisoners were willing to take risks and face unknown dangers in their pursuit of adventure. It also suggests that early explorers had a sense of fearlessness and a desire for freedom and glory.